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d1stalker · 11 months ago

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Collateral Damage [Logan Howlett]

SUMMARY: The X-men are heroes—they save the world, eradicate threats and protect both mutants and humans alike. You don't see it that way, though.

WARNINGS: one-sided e2l, fem!reader is stubborn and sassy af but it's valid, arguing, canon-level violence, scott's a dick, SMUT - 18+ only! WC: 21k - MASTERLIST

A/N: i've always wanted to write a fic with this plot, it's been on my mind for AGES. happy reading!

----

The first time you see them, it’s on your birthday.

Not being one for big, elaborate parties, you planned a quiet celebration instead—maybe a stroll through the lively city streets, followed by dinner with friends later. You had just visited your favourite store, buying a gift for yourself, and now you’re on your way back home.

The streets buzz with life as people shop, eat, and laugh, making it the perfect backdrop for a peaceful walk and some casual people-watching.

Then, out of nowhere, the ground trembles.

At first, you think it’s an earthquake—a quick jolt beneath your feet that sends a ripple of confusion through your body. But the tremor grows stronger, the ground shaking violently as everyone around you begins to panic, frantically looking around for the source, you included. And that’s when you see it.

A hulking, green monster stomping through the city streets like something out of a nightmare. It has to be at least twenty feet tall, its skin a sickly shade of green, its eyes glowing with rage. Cars bounce with each heavy footstep, leaving deep footprints in the cement in its wake.

People scream, scrambling to get out of its path, but you stand frozen, heart pounding as you try to make sense of what’s happening. In the blink of an eye, the city had been plunged into chaos. You lose track of your surroundings, too busy trying to keep your eyes on the monster headed your way, while also dodging the hoard of pedestrians running for their lives.

Until they show up.

Initially, you don’t even notice them. After all, there’s so much going on around you at this point you barely know what to do with yourself. Yet, through the dust and destruction, you see flashes of movement—figures darting toward the monster with a sense of purpose.

You don’t know who they are, but their bright blue and yellow suits make it seem like you should. At first glance, it’s hard not to feel a sense of awe. They move with such confidence, with their powers on full display for the world to see. You’ve never seen anything like it—a team of mutants using their powers in the open, fighting for what you assume is the greater good.

Maybe they can stop this!

The one first to act is a woman with white hair. She raises her arms to the sky, her eyes glowing a bright white as dark clouds swirl above, blocking out the sun. A flash of lightning slams into the monster's chest, forcing it to reel back with a thunderous roar of agony, and the crowd around you gasps, watching in wonder.

But when the lightning strikes a second time, it veers off course, crashing into the side of a nearby building. The structure groans under the impact, flames erupting from the point of contact as windows shatter, sending glass raining down onto the street below.

The collision sends you to the ground, and when you look up again, you see the power inside go out, all the lights flickering off.

Whatever awe you’d been feeling dissolves into concern, a sinking feeling settling in your chest.

Following her, a man with a glowing red visor strides forward. He’s clearly aiming to hit the monster, but the bright red beam shooting from his eyes slices through several cars in the street first, flipping them over and leaving them in smoldering wrecks. One of the blasts tears through a storefront, reducing it to rubble in a matter of seconds. More people scream and scatter, trying to escape the destruction.

From the corner of your eye, you see another mutant—a man with claws—lunge toward the monster, jumping onto cars to get closer to its head. But by using the parked cars as springboards, the weight of him causes the roof to sink in, and his claws leave deep gashes in the metal.

How heavy is this guy? Is he made of metal or something?

He’s fast, brutal, slashing at the green beast with some serious ferocity. Still, despite the attack, the monster’s strength prevails, and it easily tosses him aside, crashing into buildings, crowds—anything in the way. To your surprise, he always gets back up. And that should be good, right? They are fighting for the safety of the city.

But as debris rains down and cars are overturned, you can’t help but feel like this isn’t helping. You’re constantly dodging rubble, trying to find shelter, only for it to be destroyed seconds later. It’s like being in a war zone, and it doesn’t seem to be getting better.

And above it all, there’s a woman with red hair. She’s floating, and you watch from where you’re hiding as she lifts entire trees from their roots, hurling them at the monster in an attempt to slow it down. Except, much like her teammates, her attempt goes awry, and she misses, the trees now flying toward you.

You barely have the reflexes to dive out of the way.

Your heart races, breath coming in shallow bursts as you press yourself against a wall, trying to steady yourself. The sound of sirens blare in the distance, but it doesn’t seem like help is coming anytime soon. There’s too much going on. People are running, pushing each other aside, crying, screaming, trying to find safety.

Glancing around, you’re met with destruction—flames licking at the sidewalk, cars totaled, and building wreckage littering the streets. These mutants, while clearly powerful, are causing just as much destruction as the monster itself.

What should have been a simple takedown—a 6v1—has turned into a full-scale disaster.

And yet, they don’t stop. They don’t pause to help the people caught in the crossfire, don’t even seem to notice the damage they’re causing. They’re so focused on the monster, so focused on the fight, that they’ve lost sight of everything else.

Is this what heroism looks like? You’d been excited at first—amazed, even—thinking they were here to save the day. But now, standing in the middle of a city that’s being torn apart, you realize how wrong you were.

They don’t care. Not about the city. Not about the people.

Finally, with one last blast from the man with the visor, the monster collapses to the ground, defeated. It lets out a final roar before falling still, its massive body sprawled across the street.

The team stands over its body, their chests heaving with exertion, but they have smiles on their faces, feeling victorious. One by one, they board an aircraft, dragging the monster in with them, barely sparing a glance at the horrors they’ve caused. The white-haired woman doesn’t even bother to clear the storm clouds she summoned.

Within moments, they’re gone. You, and everyone else in the area, are left to deal with the fallout. Left to clean up their mess.

Happy birthday to me, I guess.

—

After that, you spend the next few days trying to process what had happened. You’re still in a state of shock, confusion, and disbelief, but then the media catches wind of what went down, and suddenly, it’s everywhere.

News channels replay the footage over and over, the headlines screaming about “our holy saviours” saving the day. They’re plastered across every screen, being hailed as protectors.

The X-Men.

A group of mutant superheroes, apparently. The reporters list them off one by one, like they’re celebrities you should have known about.

Storm. Cyclops. Wolverine. Jean Grey.

Mutants with powers like gods.

—

The second time you see them, you’re on vacation.

Sitting in a quaint café in the south of France, you’re enjoying a well-deserved break. The city you’re in is perfect—cobblestone streets winding through the village, vine-covered walls framing pastel-colored houses, and the scent of fresh bread drifting from nearby bakeries. It all feels like something out of a dream, the kind of peaceful retreat you’ve been desperate for after everything back home.

You order a frappé, and as you wait, you idly flip through a local newspaper, trying to see how much of your rusty high school French you can remember. It’s peaceful, quiet, exactly what you needed—until it’s not.

Movement out of the corner of your eye grabs your attention, and you glance over the edge of the newspaper, watching a group of tourists as they walk into the café. It’s not really anything odd, so you don’t think much of it—they’re dressed casually, like any group of vacationers.

Though, something about them tugs at the back of your mind, a nagging feeling that you’ve seen them before.

You lower the newspaper entirely now, staring as you try to place where you recognize them from. The tall one with the red sunglasses, the woman with the striking white hair, the man in the leather jacket... You squint, the pieces slowly falling into place.

And then it hits you.

Oh, no way.

You’re halfway around the world, in a different country, on a different continent, and somehow, they’re here. At the same café.

Shifting in your seat, you’re trying to figure out what the hell is going on, when the barista arrives with your drink. He smiles warmly at you, placing the cup down on the table with a soft “voila madame,” but before you can even thank him, there’s a blur of motion.

One of them—Wolverine, you think—lunges at the barista, grabbing him by the collar and shoving him back. The tray tips, and your frappé spills everywhere—all over the table, your newspaper, and, to your absolute horror, all over you.

“Logan, no!” you hear Storm shout, but it’s too late.

The cold drink soaks into your clothes, and you let out a startled yelp, jumping up as your chair topples over. Your clothes are ruined, your vacation ruined, and in the midst of all of this?

Wolverine—or Logan, you guess, is wrestling with the poor barista.

“What the hell?!” you shout, trying to shake off the liquid dripping down your legs. “Is this a joke?!”

No one hears you, or even acknowledges you.

The other mutants jump into action, and before you know it, the peaceful café is transformed into yet another battleground. Cyclops blasts a beam at the barista—who you now realize must be the target of whatever mission they’re on—but it misses, smashing into the wall behind you.

You’re furious, covered in a brown drink that makes it seem like you just had explosive diarrhea, and caught in yet another X-Men fiasco. All you wanted was a vacation. You don’t even know what’s happening anymore—who the barista is, what mission they’re on—but frankly, you don’t care.

This is absurd!

Without a second thought, you grab your bag and make a break for it, dodging overturned tables and debris as you make your way to the exit. You don’t bother looking back, your only thought being to get changed, and get as far away as possible.

After rounding the corner, putting some distance between yourself and the café, you pause for a moment to catch your breath. And then you hear it.

Boom.

The sound reverberates through the narrow streets, shaking the cobblestones beneath your feet. You whirl around, sticking your head out from the corner of the building, just in time to see a plume of smoke rising into the air from where the café once stood.

Your heart sinks.

They blew it up.

—

The third time you see them, it’s a really nice day outside.

It’s a week after you’ve returned home, and the weather had finally given you a break from the suffocating heat. You’re walking home from a lunch with an old friend, when your phone buzzes in your pocket. Probably said friend sending you something stupid to laugh at later.

You chuckle, already anticipating the joke, when—

BAM!

Something slams into you from the side with the force of a freight train. You’re airborne for a second, weightless, before crashing hard onto the pavement, your breath knocked right out from your lungs.

Dazed, you groan and blink up at the sky, trying to get your bearings. What the hell just hit me? Your vision swims as you sit up, shoulder throbbing from the impact. Twisting your neck to see whatever the hell that was, you immediately regret it, wincing at the sharp pain.

Great, just great.

When you finally manage to sit up, you spot the culprit.

Cyclops.

Are you fucking serious?!

His back is to you, dusting off his ugly uniform like nothing happened. You look around, and notice that the street in front you is in ruins—buildings have gaping holes where windows used to be, chunks of the road are crumbling, people covered in blood scurrying away as fast as they can.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, you catch a glimpse of the giant mechanical robots looming above, scanning for their targets. One of them must’ve thrown Cyclops into you.

You can see the others—Jean, Storm, Beast (some new guy)—flying around, saving the world. That’s codeword for: wreaking havoc, destroying your city.

Anger boils up inside you, hot and unrelenting as you struggle to your feet, rubbing your sore shoulder. But as you open your mouth, a gruff voice cuts through the air.

"Good job, dickhead. You just hurt a civilian."

Your gaze snaps toward the sound. Wolverine’s standing a few feet away, claws out, glaring at the guy who sent you flying.

“I was thrown, Logan,” he says passively. “Maybe if you kept the Sentinels off me—”

“Maybe if you didn’t stand there like a damn target, you wouldn’t get thrown!” The clawed mutant growls, taking a step closer. His whole posture is tense, like he’s barely holding himself back from tackling the other man into the ground (you would pay to have him do it). “Seriously, Summers, it’s like you want to get tossed around.”

Cyclops doesn’t even flinch. “We’ve got bigger problems than this right now,” he dismisses, not even glancing back at you to check if you’re okay.

Well, there goes the last of your patience.

"Are you kidding me?!" you shout, throwing your hands up in disbelief. They completely ignore you, too absorbed in their petty bickering to acknowledge that you’re still standing there, seething.

Before you can rip into them, something catches your eye—a Sentinel (is that what they’re called?), hovering above them, charging up a blast. Its arm is raised, energy crackling at the barrel of its cannon, aimed directly at the two distracted morons.

“Oh, for the love of—” you mutter under your breath before diving forward.

The blast hits you square in the chest, but instead of pain, all you feel is the heat of the energy surging through your body, like lightning spreading through every inch of your veins. It crackles and burns, the force building up inside you until it feels like you’re about to explode.

Then, with a deep breath, you thrust your hands forward, channeling and releasing the blast right back at the robot, blowing it apart. Metal and circuits rain down, the Sentinel crashing into the ground with a deafening thud.

Silence falls.

You’re panting, feeling the leftover energy fizzle out of your fingertips. Slowly, you turn back around, and unsurprisingly, Cyclops–or Scott, as you’ve heard in the news—and Logan are staring at you like you just walked on water. Well, the clawed one is. You can’t really see the other brown-haired man’s expression due to his visor.

“Woah, bub—”

“Oh, hell no!” You spin around fully, pointing an accusatory finger at both of them. “Neither of you get to speak! I just saved your asses because you were too busy bickering like children to notice the massive death robot about to blow you to pieces!”

Logan’s mouth quirks up, but he wisely stays silent.

“And this is exactly why I hate you people!” You continue, exasperated. “You swoop in, make a mess, destroy everything in your path, and then just leave like nothing happened! You think this is helping anyone? You think the people running for their lives right now give a damn about your little team squabbles?”

Scott doesn’t even blink. “We’re just trying to help,” he says evenly, like he’s rehearsed the line a thousand times.

“Help?” you scoff incredulously. “You only tell yourself you’re doing that to make yourself feel better. How many casualties do you think are coming out of this, hm? What’s the body count gonna be after today? Or do you not even bother counting anymore?”

His audacity makes you want to laugh. He opens his mouth to respond, but you’re not done.

"All this mess, the destroyed buildings, the people who won’t make it home tonight because you couldn’t keep your damn fight contained! You’re so focused on stopping the big bad guys that you don’t even realize how much carnage you leave behind. Who’s cleaning up after you? Who’s paying for this?! " You gesture around wildly. "News flash: the people whose lives you’re currently ruining!”

Beside him, Logan’s smirk fades, and he begins to step forward with his hands raised. “Listen, darlin’, we’re doin’ the best we can. We didn’t ask for this fight—”

"Oh, don’t give me that ‘best we can’ bullshit," you snap.

“We’re here to protect people,” Scott adds in, trying to maintain authority. “It’s not always clean, but we are making a difference—"

“Shut the fuck up! I’m not finished!” You interrupt, shaking your head. “Every day. Every damn day there’s something new.”

With the face Logan’s making, you’d think he’s going to start going in on you, but he doesn’t. Instead, he just watches, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he’s trying to figure you out. It’s unnerving, but you don’t care. You’ve had enough.

"And you," you say, turning your ire toward him, "You couldn’t have, I don’t know, used your super speed or whatever the hell you do to catch him before he crashed into me?"

His eyebrow quirks up. “Super speed?” he chuckles lowly. “Ain’t that fast. Was a little busy with the giant killer robots.”

You tilt your head back in frustration and turn on your heel. "I’m done. I don’t care what kind of mission you’re on, or how noble you think it is. If you're planning to lay waste to the city yet again, be my guest.”

Giving no time for a response, you stalk off, weaving through the wreckage of the city streets, your heart still pounding in your chest.

—

A couple weeks have passed since the last incident, and the X-Men seem to have disappeared from the headlines. You haven’t seen them or heard their whereabouts splashed across the news like you’ve gotten used to—though not by choice, of course. Whenever they do anything, the world seems to bow at their feet.

You don’t get it.

The flashy suits, the team name, the way they strut around as if they’re the Gods of the mutant race. It’s too much, too loud. They act like they’re above it all, as if their powers and heroics put them on a pedestal. Better than those who prefer to lay low, who have no choice but to blend in.

You’ve spent years hiding your powers, keeping them buried deep where no one can see. When you were younger, you didn’t have a choice. Your mutation made you a target—bullied, beaten up, pushed around for being different.

You learned quickly that being a mutant didn’t make you special. It made you vulnerable.

So, you hid. You stayed quiet, under the radar. It was safer that way.

And then here are the X-Men, parading around like their abilities make them untouchable, like they’ve forgotten what it’s like for the rest of you. It’s not that you don’t believe in helping others—you just don’t believe in the way they do it.

In your opinion, it’s all performance. From what you’ve experienced and seen up close, they always arrive with a fanfare, ready to jump into action, and do whatever they can to exterminate the threat. Yet, when the dust settles, it’s mutants like you who are left to pick up the pieces.

The ones who don’t wear brightly coloured costumes or shout about unity. You’re the ones who have to keep moving, keep surviving, without any recognition.

But it's not like you need recognition. You never have. What you need is peace.

—

You’re on the phone with your mom, trying to reassure her for the millionth time this week.

"Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry, Mom, I’m fine," you say, pacing the length of your small living room. You glance at the muted TV screen, the news still cycling through the usual mayhem. "You’ve seen the news recently, right? We’ve got the X-Men to take care of all this stuff—"

Knock. Knock.

You freeze mid-sentence, your words trailing off as the sound of someone at your door interrupts the call. Your heart skips a beat, and your voice drops. "Mom, I’ll call you back."

Barely waiting for her to reply, you end the call, staring at the door like it might explode.

A knock at this hour? Unannounced? You waver, your mind racing with possibilities.

Delivery? A neighbour? You’re not expecting anyone.

Cautiously, you make your way toward the door, hand hovering over the handle as you listen. No more knocks, just the faint hum of the outside world. You take a breath, steeling yourself as you turn the handle and crack the door open.

The tufts of hair, the thick stubble, the edge in his eyes—it’s him. Wolverine. And just as your brain registers his face, you also notice the glint of metal where his claws are already halfway out.

Instincts kick in, and before he can get a word in, you push against the door, trying to slam it shut.

Still, he’s faster.

His fist punches through the wood, and with a metallic snikt, his claws extend fully, slicing through the door as if it were made of paper. He pushes it open again, forcing it against your effort, and the sheer strength sends you stumbling back.

“What the fuck?” you gasp, eyes wide as you steady yourself. “How did you even find me?”

Stepping inside, he says, “picked up your scent and followed it,” matter-of-factly, like it’s the most normal thing in the world.

For a moment, you just stare at him, dumbfounded. “That’s… that’s actually really creepy,” you manage, still trying to process the fact that he just said that without a hint of shame.

“Can’t control it, bub,” he shrugs.

You take a step back, putting more distance between you and the man with the claws standing in your apartment. “Okay, well, you found me. Now what?”

His eyes lock onto yours. “I need you to come with me.”

“Excuse me?” You cross your arms, eyebrows shooting up in disbelief.

“You’re not safe here.”

“Oh, I’m not safe?” you snap, sarcasm dripping from your voice. “Maybe if you and your merry band of idiots didn’t keep causing world-ending disasters, I wouldn’t need to be safe!”

He doesn’t even flinch. “Sentinels are tracking you down.”

You falter. “What are you talking about?”

“You used your powers,” he states. “Killed a Sentinel. That’s all it takes for them to target you.”

Blinking, you feel anger rush to the surface, your skin tingling with rage. “I didn’t kill anyone. They’re fucking robots.”

“They don’t see it that way,” he counters. “You took one down, and now they know what you are.”

Part of you knows there’s merit in what he’s saying, but you don’t want to hear it. The last thing you want is to be dragged into some mutant-robot war. “This is ridiculous. I didn’t ask for any of this!” you hiss, glaring at him. “And now you’re telling me I’m on some kill list because I defended myself? Because I defended you?!”

His eyes flicker with something you can’t quite read, but he stays silent, watching you carefully. Your words start flying faster now, venom spilling into each one.

“I’m the one who took that thing down because you and that one-eyed bitch boy were too busy being immature! You weren’t even paying attention, and that thing almost blasted you both.” Your fingers ball into fists. "I saved both of you, and now I’m the one who has to run?"

Logan's jaw clenches, his nostrils flaring at the accusation. “We weren’t—”

“Don’t even try to deny it,” you cut him off. “If it weren’t for me, the two of you would be dead right now. And now I’m supposed to just go with you to your mansion and hide out? Like that’s going to fix th—”

You don’t get to end your rant, because he has stepped forward, and grabbed your shoulders, gripping you firmly. Not hard enough to hurt, but enough to snap your attention back to him.

“This is serious,” he spits, eyes boring into yours. “You stay here, you die.”

His words slam into you. He’s not trying to scare you—he’s telling the truth.

“You don’t get to be stubborn about this,” he continues firmly. “You think you’re pissed off now? Wait until they come crashin' through your door in the middle of the night, and you don’t have a chance to fight back.”

Wrenching yourself out of his grasp, you take a few steps back. “I just—” you begin to say, but the words feel tangled in your throat. The denial is still there, but it’s weakening, cracking. “I don’t want to run.”

“You’re not running,” he sighs, his voice softening ever so slightly. “You’re buying time. Time to fight back, time to survive. But if you stay here? There’s none of that.”

You want to argue more, want to scream at him to get away, to not drag you into his fight, but instead, you let out a long, shaky breath, your shoulders slumping. “Fine,” you breath out.

He nods, finally releasing his grip on you and stepping back. “Good. Pack up your shit. We leave in half an hour.”

Then, he walks over to your couch and plops down like he owns the place, crossing his arms as if settling in for a casual wait.

You roll your eyes, muttering under your breath. “Unbelievable.”

Ignoring him, you turn and head into your bedroom, where you start throwing clothes into a duffel bag—jeans, a couple of shirts, whatever you can grab quickly. Your movements are hurried, fuelled by a mix of frustration and the creeping anxiety gnawing at the edges of your mind. Grabbing your toiletries, you stuff them into a smaller bag, trying to focus on the task at hand instead of the fact that some random mutant tracked you down, and now you have to leave your life until you’re safe.

You peer back into the hallway, hearing the faint creak of the couch as Logan shifts around. I’m gonna kill this guy, you think to yourself.

Once everything is packed and you’ve zipped your bag, you head back into the main room, only to see said random mutant still sprawled on your couch, looking far too comfortable, with a cigar in his hand.

“Seriously?” you say, slinging your duffel over your shoulder. “Make yourself at home, why don’t you.”

He grunts in response but doesn’t move. Typical.

You glance at the clock—still a few minutes left of the half-hour he allotted you, but there’s no point in dragging it out. “I’m ready,” you say flatly, heading toward the door.

Logan stands, stretches his arms over his head, and cracks his neck like he’s waking up from a nap. “Let’s go then.”

—

The ride is tense and quiet, which suits you just fine. You’d rather not talk to him anyway. Every now and then, you let out a loud sigh, unable to hold back the annoyance you’re feeling. Each time, you feel Logan’s eyes dart toward you from the driver’s seat, but he doesn’t say anything. Well, that is, until—

“Can you shut the fuck up?” he growls, keeping his eyes on the road.

You clench your jaw, shifting in your seat. “I didn’t even say anything, jackass.”

He huffs, clearly not in the mood for an argument, but the strain between you is almost impossible to ignore. You cross your arms, staring out the window, observing the landscape shift as the drive continues.

Eventually, you can see the outline of the mansion, and you watch as it gets bigger and bigger the closer you get. Upon arrival, He pulls the car up to the front and cuts the engine. You both sit there for a moment, mute.

“Well, here we are,” he mumbles after the pause stretches on for an uncomfortable amount of time, glancing over at you.

“Great,” you say sarcastically, unbuckling your seatbelt and pushing open the car door.

Logan walks ahead without saying a word, leading the way up the grand stone steps toward the front door. You trail behind, your mood darkening with every step, glaring at the perfectly polished entrance.

The doors open before you even reach them, and you’re greeted by an older man in a wheelchair—Charles Xavier, if you remember correctly. The famous telepath. The genius behind the mutant team (some news anchor's words, not yours). His expression is kind, but you’re in such a bad mood, you don’t even bother trying to seem polite.

“Welcome,” He says with a warm smile, his eyes assessing you with an intensity that makes your skin crawl. “Logan’s told me a lot about you.”

You press your lips together in a line. “Yeah? Well, don’t get too excited.”

Logan grunts beside you. “She’s got a bit of an attitude,” he mutters to Charles, then turns to you, gesturing you to follow him. “Come on.”

Inwardly groaning, you have no choice but to follow him. Everything about this place screams “too good to be true,” and you hate it already. You’re used to keeping your head down, blending in, not being surrounded by people who wear their powers on their sleeves like some badge of honour.

As you walk through the halls, a few faces appear—other mutants, some of them kids, watching curiously as you pass by. You can feel their eyes on you, can hear the whispers already starting about the new arrival.

Charles wheels alongside you, still smiling, but there’s a glint of amusement in his eyes. “You remind me of Logan when he first joined us,” he says thoughtfully.

That stops you in your tracks.

You whip your head toward the man, giving him a piercing look. “Do not say that. We are nothing alike.”

On your other side, Logan smirks. “Not sure if I should be offended or not.”

“I’m serious.” If looks could kill, he’d be six feet under.

Chucking softly, Charles seems completely unaffected by your outburst. “You’re both a bit rough around the edges, but you’ll find your place here.”

“Yeah, sure,” you say. “Because that’s exactly what I want to do.”

Deeper into the mansion, you catch sight of the X-Men you’ve seen before: Cyclops, Storm, Jean Grey. They all turn to look at you, sizing you up. You don’t flinch—you just stare back, your expression hard.

Pulling your duffel bag higher on your shoulder, you rip your eyes away from theirs, and keep walking, following Logan down the long, quiet hallway. Finally, he stops in front of a door.

“This is your room,” he grunts, nodding toward it. “Try not to break anything.”

Choosing silence, you push the door open. Stepping inside, you expect the bare minimum—a bed, maybe a closet—but instead, you’re met with a surprisingly large space. There’s a massive bed in the center of the room, a desk by the window, and, to your surprise, a set of glass doors leading out to a balcony.

You drop your bag by the door, glancing around, trying to shake off the unease. This is way too nice for a prisoner. You walk toward the balcony doors, curious despite yourself, and when you pull them open, the cool breeze hits you immediately.

Once you’re outside, you realize something that immediately makes your stomach drop.

The balcony is shared. And right next to your side, leaning against the railing with a cigar between his fingers, is Logan.

You halt mid-motion, eyes fixed on him in stunned silence. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

He glances over, a smirk playing on his lips as he takes a drag of his cigar. “Surprise.”

You groan, turning your back on him and walking toward the opposite edge of the balcony, trying to calm the annoyance inside you. Of all the people you could’ve been stuck beside, it had to be him. It’s not enough that he dragged you here, but now there’s a chance you’re going to have to see him every time you step outside.

“So what now?” you mutter, staring out over the mansion grounds, the manicured gardens below looking like something out of a postcard. “I’m just supposed to stay here, be a part of your little mutant club?”

Taking another slow pull on his cigar, “You’re supposed to stay alive. Everythin’ else? That’s up to you.”

“But why do you suddenly care?” you ask. “I’ve seen the way you operate. You and your team sweep in, fight your battles, and then leave everyone else in the dirt. You don’t care about the collateral damage—hell, you cause half of it.”

Logan pauses, his cigar halfway to his lips. He doesn’t answer right away, and the brief hesitation only makes your irritation spike. You press on, inching closer, voice laced with accusation.

“Why now?” you press. “Why drag me into this when you’ve never cared about anyone else in the crossfire?”

Logan finally turns to face you, exhaling a cloud of smoke before speaking, his expression hardened. “This ain’t about me ‘caring,’” he says flatly. “This is about survival. You killed a Sentinel, whether you like it or not. That puts a target on your back.”

“Yeah, you’ve made that very clear,” you bite out. “But you still haven’t answered my question. Why me? Why am I suddenly important to you?”

Logan’s eyes darken, drilling into yours. “You’re not important to me,” he says flatly. “But they won’t stop until they get you. The destruction that’ll come from that—if your stubborn ass fought back, which I know it would, by the way—would be much greater than anything we would cause.”

“Doubt that,” you snarl bitterly. You don’t linger for the sound of his response, spinning on your heel and walking back into your room, slamming the balcony door behind you.

The bed is large and you can’t deny how inviting it looks after the day you’ve had. You flop onto it face-first, letting out a long, drawn out sigh.

You’re barely able to reflect on the chaotic day you’ve had before your eyelids flutter shut, and you sink into a deep slumber, the exhaustion from everything catching up to you.

—

You’re jolted awake by a loud, aggressive knock on your bedroom door. The sound is so forceful it feels like the entire frame is rattling. You release a sound, half groan, half sigh, steeped in frustration. Your face is still buried in your pillow, and you curse whoever decided to ruin what little sleep you managed to get.

“Get up,” Logan’s gruff voice calls from the other side of the door. “We’re leaving for breakfast in ten.”

Ah yes. Of-fucking-course it's him. Who else would it be?

Dragging yourself out of bed, you throw on some clothes and make a half-hearted attempt to fix your hair before opening the door, ready to curse him, but he's already striding down the hallway, hardly bothering to check if you're following. You roll your eyes, your steps slow and begrudging as you move to follow

As you catch up, you can’t help but throw him a sideways glare. “Why are you acting like my personal bodyguard?”

“Gotta make sure you don’t do anything reckless.”

You scoff, crossing your arms as you fall into step beside him. “You don’t even know what I can do.”

Logan’s lips twitch into a lazy smirk, and you immediately want to wipe it off his face. “Exactly,” he says, his tone almost amused. “Which is why today, we’re gonna test you.”

You stop in your tracks, staring at his back. “Test me? What the hell does that mean?”

He stops too, turning to face you. “Means you’re gonna show me what you’re capable of.”

Teeth clenched, you feel the slow rise of aggravation mingling with apprehension. “I’m not some science experiment.”

“No,” he agrees, “but you’re not a regular person, either. You need to know your limits—and how to handle what’s coming.”

Groaning, you drag your hands down your face incredulously. “I don’t even know what to say back to that. All I know is that I’m hungry.”

—

The kitchen of Xavier’s mansion is bustling with activity as the two of you walk in. The rest of the team is gathered around a large table at the centre of the room, and you spot Jean, Cyclops, Storm, and a few others sitting together, chatting, but you feel no desire to join them.

Rather, you gravitate toward a smaller table by the window, hoping to get some peace while you choke down breakfast. The chair scrapes lightly as you pull it out and sit down, fully expecting to be left alone.

But to your surprise, Logan follows and plops down in the seat across from you.

You raise an eyebrow. “What are you doing?”

He shrugs and digs into his food. "Eating. You got a problem with that?"

You cast a quick look toward the large table where the rest of the team sits. It feels strange, having him eat with you, especially when the rest of his team is so obviously waiting for him to join them.

"No," you murmur, shaking your head as you return to your plate. "Just didn’t think you’d stray from the flock."

“They’re fine without me.”

You push your food around with your fork, trying to push past the heavy air of discomfort in the room. Everyone keeps glancing in your direction, and you sense their curiosity, the questions hovering in silence, but no one has the courage to ask. And honestly, you’re grateful for the space.

Just as you’re finishing up, a low voice catches your attention.

"I just don’t understand why they brought her here," Jean’s voice carries across the room, quieter than before, but still clear enough for you to hear. “She doesn’t seem like she has what it takes. It’s like they’re bringing in someone who’s—” She pauses, clearly thinking through her words. "Unstable. Weak.”

Tensing, your fork clatters onto your plate. The world around you dulls, and all you can hear is that word echoing in your head. Weak. You’ve been called a lot of things in your life, but never that.

Slowly, you push your chair back and stand up as you turn to face the table where she and the others are seated. “Say it louder, please,” you say calmly.

The chatter dies instantly, and suddenly, every set of eyes in the room finds you. Jean's face turns ashen, her eyes blown wide in shock. She wasn’t expecting you to overhear. Her mouth opens and closes, as if she’s trying to find a way to backtrack, but you know what you heard.

Before Jean can stammer out an excuse, Scott stands up, positioning himself between you and her, his jaw tight and his posture rigid. “You heard wrong,” he says sternly. “She didn’t mean anything by it.”

You take a calculated step forward, arms crossed in defiance. “Didn’t mean anything?” you repeat sarcastically. “She just called me weak. Right here. In front of everyone. You think I’m gonna let that slide?”

Scott’s jaw clenches tighter “She wasn’t trying to insult you. You’re new here. You don’t know how things work yet.”

“That’s the excuse?” you laugh dryly. “Maybe you should teach her how to keep her mouth shut instead of making assumptions about people she doesn’t know.”

If even possible, the friction between you swells, growing heavier with each passing second. Everyone in the room watches the standoff, some shifting uncomfortably in their seats, unsure of what’s going to happen next. You can feel Logan’s presence behind you, but he doesn’t interfere. He’s letting you handle this.

“You don’t belong here,” Scott states, like he’s trying to remind you of your place. “You’re not part of this team, and you sure as hell don’t understand what it takes to survive here.”

Raising an eyebrow, your lips curl into a smirk. “And what are you gonna do about it, One-eye? You gonna lecture me? Or better yet, why don’t you blast me with those laser eyes of yours? Show me how strong you are.”

His fists clench, and for a moment, you see the control slip. His visor glows red, just for a split second, as his anger spikes.

"Careful," you taunt, challenging him. "Wouldn’t want to lose control, would you? I'm sure you've never done that before."

That does it.

A beam shoots out from Scott’s visor. Fast, ferocious, and headed straight for you. There’s a collective gasp from the others, chairs scraping as people push back, shocked by the sudden escalation. But you don’t move. You stand your ground, your eyes locked onto Scott’s as the beam strikes you square in the chest.

You’re not knocked back, or worse, killed, as the energy from the blast surges into you. The energy seeps into your bones, crackling through every nerve. Your skin tingles as the power courses through you, your body absorbing every ounce of it. Once the assault is over, you raise your head, feeling your eyes and veins begin to glow with a deep, burning red.

Jean’s hand flies to her mouth, her eyes wide in disbelief.

Unfortunately for you, you don't get the chance to blow him to pieces, because Logan flies forward and grabs your arm, pulling you out of the room. Nobody else moves—too stunned—as he drags you into the hallway. You blink your eyes, the glow fading, but you can feel the residual energy from Scott’s blast still buzzing under your skin.

Both out of sight, he finally releases you.

You glare at him, still rattled from the confrontation. “What the hell? Why'd you interfere?”

He just shrugs, completely unfazed. “You handled yourself enough. Now we know what you can do. Follow me.”

“Follow you where?” you ask.

He motions down the hallway. “Danger Room. We’re gonna push those limits a little further.”

Gawking at him for a second, it takes a moment, but then you smirk. You want to know just how far your powers can go.

—

“Fuck!” you curse as you’re flung backward, your body slamming against a stone wall. Your back hits hard, knocking the wind out of you as the simulated-Sentinel hurls a car in your direction. The screech of metal fills the air as the vehicle crashes just mere inches from where you were standing moments ago.

Rubble showers from above, the robot in front of you towering menacingly. Raising its arm, another blast begins charging in its palm, ready to incinerate you.

You scramble to your feet, heart pounding in your chest as you sprint away, ducking and weaving between the wreckage of cars and crumbling buildings that make up the simulated cityscape. The Sentinel fires again, the blast narrowly missing as you dodge behind an overturned truck. Your breaths come in ragged gasps, every muscle screaming in protest.

I can’t keep this up.

Another blast lights up the area around you, and you dive out of the way, the heat of the attack singeing your skin. You’re quick, but not quick enough to outrun the onslaught from this machine.

Then it hits you—you don’t have to outrun it.

You remember the blast from way back, how your body absorbed the energy, and how in the dining hall, you took on Scott’s beam like it was nothing. You can do it again. You can take its power and turn it back on itself.

Gritting your teeth, you stop running. The air buzzes with electricity, the earth trembling beneath you as the next shot hurtles your way.

It hammers into your chest, and once again, your body is filled with energy. In an instant, you leap into the air, propelled by the newfound strength coursing through your body, and the ground disappears beneath you as you soar upward.

At the peak of your jump, you clench your fist, channeling all that power into one focused point. Then, you bring your fist down on the Sentinel’s head, the impact echoing through the simulation as your punch connects, and the robot’s head shatters under the blow, metal fragments flying in every direction as its massive body crumples to the ground.

Sparks shoot out of its severed neck, and with a final groan of machinery, the robot collapses into a heap of broken parts at your feet.

“Good work,” Logan’s voice crackles over the comms, far too calm for what you’ve just been through. “Let’s see how you handle another.”

There’s no time for more than a muttered curse under your breath, because another Sentinel is dropped into the simulation. This one’s faster, more agile, and doesn’t waste time by charging up blasts.

It exists solely to hunt you down.

“Cut me some slack,” you groan, half out of breath as you duck behind the ruins of a building. Your lungs burn as you try to breathe, adrenaline coursing through you like a wildfire.

This one isn’t like the last. It’s not using energy blasts—it’s fast, agile, and persistent. It rushes toward you, its massive hands swiping through the air, tearing through the simulated city with ease.

Grinding your teeth, a wave of exasperation takes over. This fight is harder, the machine barely giving you a chance to react, and your body is already starting to wear down. Your mind races, desperate for a solution as you sidestep its attacks, trying to stay one step ahead. You feel cornered, trapped.

The frustration builds, growing into something more, and before you realize it, that frustration becomes fuel. It ignites inside you, your own emotions transforming into energy, pushing past the limits you didn’t know you had.

Your veins pulse, your eyes glowing white this time, not from absorbed power but from something deeper—your own anger, your own strength. The energy bubbles inside you, filling every cell of your body until you can’t hold it back anymore.

With a scream, you release it, propelling a massive ball of crackling energy hurling toward the Sentinel. The impact is immediate, ripping through the metal and bursting into a brilliant, blinding light. It sends shockwave through the entire simulation, the machine imploding, its parts scattering across the battlefield.

And when the light fades, the Sentinel is gone—nothing more than a smouldering heap of twisted metal.

You stand there, chest heaving, the glow in your eyes slowly fading as the last traces of energy drain from your body. Your knees buckle, and before you know it, you crumble to the ground, utterly exhausted.

The simulation flickers for a moment, then abruptly shuts off, the room returning to its normal, metallic walls as the fake cityscape disappears. You’re still on the floor, gasping for breath, when Logan steps into view, arms crossed as he peers down at you with a pleased grin.

“Well,” he says, voice calm, “that wasn’t too bad.”

You shoot him a glare from the ground, too tired to move. “You… are such… an asshole.”

He chuckles, clearly enjoying himself. “Get up. We’re just getting started.”

—

He was right. You were just getting started.

The thought gnaws at you as you trudge alongside Logan, heading back to your room to clean up before dinner. Every muscle in your body aches, and you can already feel the soreness creeping in, promising a week of pain. You’re starting to suspect this is Logan’s way of getting back at you for all the snark and attitude you’ve thrown his way, but damn, is it painful. You don’t even want to think about how much worse you’re going to feel in the morning.

You feel like a zombie, dragging your feet, barely able to keep your eyes open. Your limbs feel heavy, like they’re made of lead, and each step invites fresh wave of exhaustion through your body. The man with you, of course, seems perfectly fine. He walks a few steps ahead of you, not even winded from the grueling day of combat drills, sparring, and whatever else he thought up to make sure you were put through the wringer.

“Maybe I should be a little nicer to you,” you rationalize, but who are you kidding.

With a terse grunt, he acknowledges you by tilting his head back. “You’ll live.”

You roll your eyes, though it’s half-hearted at best. You don’t even have the energy to be annoyed right now.

Upon reaching your room, you feel like you could collapse right then and there. You mumble something vaguely resembling ‘see you later’ to Logan before slipping inside, the door clicking shut behind you.

The first thing you do is toss your bag onto the floor, not caring where it lands, and head straight for the bathroom. You peel off your sweaty, dirt-covered clothes and step into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the grime of the day.

After that quick, blissful shower, you drag yourself out, towel off, and pull on the first comfortable clothes you can find. Your bed is calling to you, and it doesn’t take long for you to lie down on it. The softness of the mattress beneath you is heaven, and you think you might just fall asleep right there and take a small nap before heading to eat.

But then, out of the corner of your eye, you notice the light pouring in through the balcony doors. The warm, golden glow of the setting sun catches your attention, and despite how drained you are, you find yourself turning to look.

What you see is breathtaking. Shades of pink, orange, and deep purple.

It’s too beautiful to ignore.

Groaning again, you force yourself to sit up, rubbing your eyes. You can’t help it. Something about the sight draws you in, and before you know it, you’re standing and heading toward the balcony. You slide the door open and step outside, the evening breeze washing over you as you lean against the railing, taking in the view.

A few minutes pass, the world around you quiet except for the gentle rustling of the leaves in the wind. The sound of Logan’s door sliding breaks your focus. You glance over just as he steps out onto his side of the shared balcony, wearing nothing but a white tank top and jeans.

Saying nothing, he steps beside you at the railing, resting against it as his eyes scan the horizon.

You sneak a look at him out of the corner of your eye, trying not to make it obvious. His arms are crossed over the railing, and it’s almst impossible not to notice the way the tank top lets you see his biceps, the muscles in his arms strong from the day’s activity. You are a woman, after all.

He looks relaxed. His stubble catches the last bits of the sunlight, and as your gaze travels upward, you notice something you hadn’t bothered to see before.

The crinkles at the sides of his eyes. They’re faint, barely there, but in this light, they’re more visible, adding something unexpectedly... soft to his otherwise intimidating appearance.

Cute, you think absentmindedly, then pause.

What the fuck?

You snap your gaze back to the sunset, feeling a sudden surge of embarrassment creeping up your neck. You just spent the entire day getting your ass handed to you by this man, and now you’re here checking out his arms? His arms? And thinking the crinkles around his eyes are cute? Suppressing a groan, you want to slap yourself for even entertaining the thought.

Nope. Absolutely not. You’re not going down that road.

Taking a deep breath, you try to bring your attention back to the sunset. The reason you went outside to begin with. You have no idea why you’re suddenly noticing these things about him—probably exhaustion making your brain short-circuit.

Yup. That’s it.

He shifts slightly beside you, breaking the silence. “Nice view"

You nod, swallowing down the weird feelings swirling in your head. “Yeah,” you mumble, not trusting yourself to say anything more without sounding ridiculous.

The two of you stand there for a few more minutes, watching as the last rays of the sun disappear, the sky dimming into deep purples and blues. But the minute your thoughts start to drift back to him, you straighten up, clapping your hands together and quickly turning on your heel to head back inside.

“Well, I’m done,” you say abruptly. “I’m gonna crash.”

Logan doesn’t move, but you can feel his eyes following you as you slide the door closed behind you, your mind still reeling from whatever the hell that was.

Collapsing back onto your bed, you pull the covers up to your chin, determined to forget about the whole thing.

—

A few hours later, when it’s dark out, you finally wake up. The room is dim, and for a moment, you just lie there, blinking at the ceiling. As you start to roll over, something catches your attention—a smell.

It's warm, savoury. Your stomach growls almost immediately, making you realize with a start that you slept through dinner.

Groggily, you sit up, rubbing your eyes, and that’s when you spot it—a tray of food sitting on the desk in your room. You can make out the outline of a warm meal: some kind of stew, a couple of bread rolls, and what looks like a glass of water. Your stomach growls again, louder this time, as you climb out of bed and shuffle toward the desk, turning on the light.

Next to the tray, there’s a small note:

Figured you’d be too tired to get dinner. Eat up.

– L

You stare at the note. Logan? Bringing you food? It doesn’t exactly fit with the version of him you’ve been dealing with all day, but then again, there seems to be a lot about him that doesn’t quite fit the mold you expected.

Too hungry to keep thinking and not eat, you set the note down and grab the spoon, dipping it into the stew. The first bite warms you from the inside out, and you let out an involuntary sigh of relief.

Surprisingly flavourful—rich and nourishing, it’s the perfect remedy for the exhausting day behind you

Still, you can’t help your eyes from wandering back to the note. Maybe it really is the fatigue messing with your head again, making you chalk it up to be something it’s not.

—

The next morning, you're not woken up by banging on your door, which is a relief. You stretch, the soreness still lingering but not nearly as bad as you expected. After freshening up and pulling on some clothes, you step into the hallway, and unexpectedly, Logan is already waiting for you.

He’s leaning against the wall, arms crossed, and you blink at him, still waking up, unsure why he’s there. “Uh... morning?” you get out, albeit you can’t hide the confusion in your tone.

A short nod in greeting. “Morning. Ready for breakfast?”

You hesitate for a moment, then decide to take the plunge. “Yeah I am, but…um, thanks for the food last night, it was good.” you say quietly, almost embarrassed to admit it.

The gesture had caught you off guard, and though you don’t want to make a fuss, it’s worth noting

“Don’t mention it,” he shrugs casually.

Nodding in understanding, you’re ready to move on when he adds, almost offhandedly, “Y’know, you’re actually kinda pretty when you’re asleep. Not being a little shit helps.”

You freeze mid-step, your mind short-circuiting for a moment as you process the words that just left his lips.

Flustered and irritated all at once, you glare at him. “Excuse me?”

Logan smirks, the corners of his mouth twitching as he starts walking down the hall toward the kitchen. “You heard me.”

Your face heats up. “I am not a little shit,” you yelp, quickening your pace to catch up to him.

“Could’ve fooled me,” he says, gazing at you from over his shoulder. You open your mouth to fire back, but the smug look in his eyes makes you hesitate.

He’s messing with you on purpose.

Asshole, you think, fuming but trying to ignore the way your stomach flipped when he called you pretty.

—

The kitchen goes silent the moment you and Logan step through the door, a noticeable difference from yesterday. All eyes are locked on you, the pressure in the room almost solid, begging to be cut through.

Students and X-Men alike are watching, probably expecting some kind of replay of the day prior's events, but you pay them no mind, keeping your eyes straight ahead and making a beeline for a table at the back.

You drop into a seat, picking up a piece of toast and acting like the room isn’t on high alert. Logan joins you again without a word, sitting across from you and digging into his food. He doesn’t even glance at the others, as if the room full of curious onlookers doesn’t exist.

The only sounds are the clink of silverware and voices slowly picking up again as people realize nothing dramatic is about to happen.

Chewing, you glance at the man across from you, still quietly working through his meal. You swallow, then clear your throat. “So... what’s the plan for today?”

He looks up from his plate. “Charles wants to see you this morning.”

You frown, unsure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. “Why? Did I break something without knowing it?”

He snorts, shaking his head. “No, you’re not in trouble, smartass. He’s just gonna fill you in on some things. Mainly the Sentinels.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You need to know what you’re up against, what we’re all dealing with. He’ll catch you up to speed.”

“Great,” you mutter. “More bad news.”

The clawed mutant leans back in his chair, watching you for a moment before speaking again. “Look, it’s not gonna be fun, but you need to know. Better to hear it from him than from me.”

“I’ll take that as your way of saying ‘good luck,” you breathe out.

He smirks. “You’re gonna need it.”

Logan finishes his meal and stands up, leaving his empty plate behind. “I’ll drop you off at Charles’s office. You’ll be with him for the morning.”

You follow suit, pushing away your half-eaten plate. “Fantastic,” you mumble sarcastically, but at the same time, you know this is necessary. After all, the threat you’re dealing with is real, and being ignorant about it won’t do you any good.

—

“So, how can they be stopped?”

You ask the question before you even sit down. Charles is already waiting for you in his office, his hands folded neatly on the desk, his gaze calm and soft.

He takes a measured breath, glancing toward the window for a moment before responding. “Stopping the Sentinels is... complicated. They’ve grown more advanced than we ever anticipated.”

“I gathered that.”

“They are highly adaptive machines,” he continues. “Designed to hunt and neutralize mutants, they learn from every encounter. They absorb information, adjust tactics, and over time, they become more effective.”

His words make you squirm with discomfort, and you glance around the room, trying to distract yourself from the knot forming in your stomach.

“And now I’m one of their targets,” you say quietly, more to yourself than to him.

Leaning forward slightly, he says, “Yes. They’ve already locked onto you because of your encounter with them. They don’t differentiate between self-defence and aggression. They see you as a target, simply because you fought back.”

You exhale sharply. “So, what’s your plan?”

Charles meets your gaze. “There is a command center—a hub that controls their network. If we can locate it and destroy it, we believe it will disrupt the entire Sentinel operation. Without the command structure, the Sentinels will become non-functional.”

You stare for a beat, mentally piecing together the details. “You believe?”

“It’s our best theory,” he says evenly. “We’ve been gathering intel for some time now. And we’re planning a mission. A final push to put an end to this threat once and for all.”

The words linger, thick and weighty, in the space between you, You can sense where this is going. Your fingers drum against your arm, a nervous habit you can’t seem to shake.

“You want me to be a part of it.”

He remains unfazed. “I believe you have an ability that could be crucial to the mission. You’ve already demonstrated your capability against the Sentinels in training yesterday, and in real life.”

A bitter scoff escapes your lips before you can stifle it. “Yeah, but I’m not one of you. I don’t want to be part of some... grand battle. That’s not me.”

Watching you closely, his gaze is soft with comprehension. “I understand your reluctance,” he says gently. “But running, hiding... it won’t change the fact that they will find you. Fighting may not have been your choice, but now it is your reality.”

Standing, you begin to pace the room. “This is exactly the problem I have with your team,” you say, stopping near the window, staring out at the garden. “We hardly know eachother, yet you want me to be part of some mission that could very well be catastophic. It’s like you don’t care about anything except the big picture.”

Charles’s expression doesn’t change. He definitely expected this. “We aren’t perfect,” he admits, “and our battles have left scars. But this is about survival. For all of us. For you.”

Turning back to face him, you narrow your eyes. “And if I say no?”

“I won’t force you,” His voice is understanding. “The choice is yours. But know that the Sentinels will not stop. You can avoid the fight for as long as you like, but eventually, it will come to you.”

It’s as if you're stuck, with nowhere to turn, cornered by a reality you didn’t want any part of. Avoiding it doesn’t seem like an option anymore, but fighting alongside the X-Men feels like betraying everything you’ve tried to distance yourself from.

Sighing, “I’ll think about it.”

—

When you get back to your room, the first thing you do is swing open your balcony door and step outside. The afternoon sun comes over you like a blanket, warming you up, and relieving some of the strain in your muscles. Logan is out on the balcony too, leaning against the railing, a cigar lit between his fingers. It’s a sight you think you should get used to.

His eyes flick to you when you approach, but he doesn’t say anything at first. Without a word, he holds the roll of tobacco out toward you, as if he knows exactly what’s on your mind.

You pause briefly, for just a second before taking it from him. The rich, earthy taste of the cigar fills your mouth as you inhale deeply, the smoke heavy and warm in your lungs. There’s something grounding about it, even though the burn is rough against your throat. You let out a slow exhale, watching the smoke curl into the night air as you lean next to him against the railing.

“How’d it go?” he asks gruffly.

“He wants me to join you guys on the mission.”

At first, Logan doesn’t react, then, he just takes the cigar back, puffing on it and blowing a cloud of smoke into the air. “What do you want to do?”

It’s the same question that’s been clawing at your insides since you left Charles’s office. What do you want? It feels like the answer should be simple, but it’s anything but.

“I don’t know,” you confess quietly. “I want to get rid of the threat and go back to my normal life, but if I do, then I'd just become the very thing I'm against, right? I can’t join you guys, that’s not who I am.”

He hums softly.

Shifting a bit, you try to find the words to explain the knot of irritation tangled inside you. “I get it, you know? I get why you guys do what you do. Someone has to. But the way you do it—so carefree about everything. It’s like the destruction, the people, the lives caught in the midst of everything—it doesn’t even phase you.”

“We don’t do it carefree,” he says lowly. Inhaling into the cigar once more, the tip glowing red. “But sometimes, you gotta make a choice between bad and worse. People get hurt. But if we don’t stop the threats, a lot more people are gonna die.”

You bite the inside of your cheek, feeling the tension coil tighter in your chest. “And that’s what I hate about it.”

Flicking the ash from the end of his cigar, his eyes are distant, lost in thought momentarily before he responds. “I’m not gonna lie to you and say it’s easy. It ain’t. We all carry the weight of the things we’ve done—the things we couldn’t stop. But if not us, then who?”

“That’s an impossible decision,” you say. There’s no way you can go into this fight, knowing how much of a toll it’s going to take on everything. The fight itself is such a small piece to the puzzle.

Logan leans his elbows on the railing. “You think I wanted this?” he asks, his voice low, almost like he’s talking to himself. “I was just like you. Didn’t want nothin’ to do with the team or their battles.”

The comparison makes you grimace. “Great. That’s exactly what I want to hear.”

He chuckles, the sound rough but not unkind. “I’m serious, bub. For years, I didn’t want to be part of this... circus. Figured I’d be better off on my own, that I was above it all.”

You quirk a brow. “Then what changed?”

“It’s not like a switch flipped,” he replies, a bit quieter. “I just realized that fighting alone is harder than fighting with a team. The X-Men... they gave me somethin’. A place. Belonging. Doesn’t mean I agree with everything they do, but it’s better than wanderin’.”

That makes you scoff. “Yeah, well, you heard it yourself. Scott said I don’t belong here. Jean thinks I’m weak. Doesn’t exactly scream ‘welcome to the team,’ does it?”

His brow furrows, his eyes narrowing, as he straightens and looks at you. “Scott talks too much, and Jean—she’s cautious. Doesn’t mean she’s right.”

“Doesn’t mean she’s wrong either,” you mumble. “They don’t trust me.”

“They didn’t trust me when I first joined either, but you get better. You learn.”

“I don’t want to be like you,” you hiss before you can stop yourself, and you immediately regret the heat in your words.

He doesn’t look offended—just tired. “Didn’t say you should,” he starts. “But you can’t keep shunnin’ us.”

“So what do I do now?”

Taking one last drag of his cigar before flicking it over the balcony railing, Logan watches the embers fall before he speaks. “The mission’s in a week. You’ve got that long to figure it out.”

He turns to leave, but before he goes, he glimpses at you from over his shoulder. “This battle, it’s inevitable. Question is—how do you want to face it?”

—

You’ve never been so conflicted. This choice–to join, or not to join—is probably the hardest decision you’ve had to make in your entire life. You have seen first hand what happens when the X-men decide to stop a threat. What innocent people have to go through to rebuild their lives from the ground up. Both literally and figuratively.

And to then become someone who causes that pain? It feels like betrayal. Like going against yourself—your morals.

But then there’s the other side of it—the part of you that knows sitting here, doing nothing, isn’t right either. You know you have the strength to fight back. You have the power to help. And doing nothing… doesn’t that make you just as bad? If you have the ability to stop something, to protect people, and you don’t—what does that make you?

It’s a lose-lose situation. The X-Men don’t even want you there—aside from Logan and Charles. You can see it in the way their eyes follow you wherever you go, untrusting. They’ve made their opinion on you clear.

You lower your head into your hands, stressed. You can’t join a team that doesn’t want you, but sitting on the sidelines when you could be fighting—that makes you feel like a coward. And maybe even worse—a bad person.

Finally, with a deep breath, you come to a decision. It’s not perfect, and it sure as hell doesn’t feel good, but it’s the only choice you can make right now. You’ll join them—for this mission only.

You’ll help take down the Sentinels, and then, when it’s done, you’ll leave. You’ll go back to your life, maybe you can find a middle ground, where you’re not one of them, but you’re no longer hiding from the mutant part of yourself.

If something happens, if you do something you regret, then you'll just have to live with it.

—

In the afternoon, you don’t do much. You were supposed to be training with Logan, but Charles had called him into a quick meeting, leaving you to wander the halls aimlessly.

Rounding a corner, you stop short when you see the rest of the team—Scott, Jean, Ororo, and Hank—talking near a meeting room. They’re deep in conversation, but as soon as you come into view, their attention shifts toward you.

Your stomach tightens, and for a brief second, you consider just turning around and walking in the other direction. But it’s too late; they’ve already seen you.

Jean’s eyes meet yours, and her expression flickers with something that looks like discomfort before she quickly smooths it over. “Hey,” she says carefully. “I just wanted to apologize for what I said yesterday. I didn’t mean to make you feel like you didn’t belong.”

Her tone is polite, but distant. It’s clear this apology isn’t driven by genuine remorse—it’s more about smoothing over the awkwardness from yesterday’s standoff. You can feel that. You see the way she looks at you, not quite meeting your eyes, and you know this is just a formality for her.

Still, you’re not looking to start more drama, and you don’t want to engage in any more confrontations, especially when you’re already planning to leave. You nod, keeping your expression neutral. “It’s fine. Let’s just move on.”

Behind her, you catch a glimpse of Scott, his arms crossed. Even though you can’t see his eyes, it’s obvious he’s glaring at you.

Ororo steps forward, her hand finding your arm, and the touch is gentle, reassuring. “Joining the team isn’t easy,” she says kindly. “But we’ve all faced our own challenges. If you ever need someone to talk to, or help with anything, I’m here.”

“You’ve got potential,” Hank chips in from beside her. “It takes time to settle in, but I’m sure you’ll find your place.”

His words are well-meaning, and you can see that he believes what he’s saying. But what they don’t know is that you’ve already made up your mind. You’re not staying any longer than you have to.

You don’t plan on finding your place here because, frankly, you don’t believe there is one for you. Not with Scott’s distrust, Jean’s cautious distance, and the way you know you can’t be part of a team that doesn’t care about anything but themselves. You keep your thoughts to yourself, pressing your lips into a thin smile instead.

“Yeah,” you say vaguely, not wanting to ruin the moment. “Thanks.”

“I guess we’ll all see soon enough,” Your eyes snap to Scott, who has finally decided to break his silence. His voice is cold, but you can feel and edge to it, one that’s trying to provoke you.

You meet his gaze—or at least the visor—and feel your jaw tighten. “Guess so,” you reply, matching his tone. Turning, you walk away, finding another place to lounge until Logan is free.

—

The mansion’s library is massive, filled with towering shelves and the scent of old books. It’s quieter here, the kind of silence you can sink into, and after the awkward run-in with the rest of the team, it feels like the perfect place to retreat. You find a comfortable armchair tucked into a corner, grab a random book off the shelf—some old novel you’ve never heard of—and settle in.

For a while, you manage to lose yourself in the pages. The story isn’t particularly gripping, but it’s enough to take your mind off of things. But then, a shadow falls over you, covering the words in a dark grey haze.

“Hey, bub.”

You blink, looking up to find Logan standing over you. “What?” you ask, annoyed at being interrupted but also not surprised. It’s Logan, after all.

“You’ve been hiding in here long enough,” he says, raising an eyebrow. “Come on, time to head back.”

Rolling your eyes you snap the book shut, dropping it onto the table beside you. “I wasn’t hiding, I was reading,” you shoot back, standing up and stretching out your legs. “There’s a difference, y’know.”

“Sure there is,” he huffs, clearly not buying it. “Let’s go.”

As you reach the hallway where your rooms are, Logan pauses, glancing toward his door. “You wanna come in for a bit? Talk?”

You’re a little bit taken aback. You didn’t peg him as the "sit down and talk" type, but he seems genuine. Or maybe he wants to keep you awake for dinner this time. Either way, you nod. “Sure.”

Inside his room, it’s about what you’d expect—minimalist, practical, with a few personal touches. A bed that looks like it’s seen better days, a couple of old books, and the scent of cigars lingering in the air. Logan sits down on the bed, leaning back against the headboard, and gestures for you to join him.

There’s a moment where you’re just standing there, staring, but then you flop down beside him, sitting cross-legged at the edge of the bed. For a few beats, there’s silence. Logan pulls out a cigar but doesn’t light it, just turns it between his fingers.

“I’ve decided,” you say finally, breaking the quiet. “I’ll go on the mission.”

He doesn’t respond, his eyes flicking to yours, waiting for you to continue.

“But,” you add, crossing your arms over your chest, “I’m not promising to stay after. This doesn’t mean I’m all in on your little X-Men gig.”

He grunts, a half-smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. “Knew you’d say that.”

Your brows pinch together your, lips pulling into a frown. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Means you’re stubborn as hell,” he teases.“Always gotta fight against the grain, even when you know what’s best for you.”

Sighing, you turn your head to look at him fully. “I truly believe you are the only person who actually believes that.”

He chuckles softly but doesn’t argue. “Charles gave me more details about the mission.”

That catches your attention, and you sit up a little straighter. “Yeah? Where are we going?”

Logan hesitates for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. “It’s... in the city.”

“The city? What city?”

“New York.”

Your heart drops. “New York?” You repeat, your voice rising in disbelief.

Giving you a slow nod, it’s like he's gauging your reaction. “The Sentinels’ command centre is located in some high-security facility downtown.”

You push yourself up off the bed, pacing across the room. “So, what, we are just going to storm in? Into one of the most populated cities in the world? Do you realize how many people could get caught in the middle of that?”

He stands up after you, but he doesn’t try to stop your pacing. “We’ve fought in cities before. We know what we’re doing.”

You whip around to face him. “Yeah, you’ve fought in cities before, and destroyed them! Some places are still rebuilding, and it’s been years!”

“I get it, alright?” He says, taking a step closer to you. “It’s not perfect. But if we don’t stop the Sentinels now, it’ll be a hell of a lot worse than a few broken buildings.”

“‘A few broken buildings’?” you echo. “What about the casualties that’ll come from it? We’re talking about innocent lives here, Logan!”

He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly trying to keep his temper in check. “I know that! You think I don’t know what’s at stake? But we don’t have another option. We need to hit them where it counts, and that’s in the middle of the damn city.”

“There has to be a better way,” you plead. "Can't we try and evacuate everyone beforehand?"

"No," he says remorsefully. "If we do that, the Sentinels will catch on. It's unavoidable."

“I can't accept that," you say.

Logan’s eyes meet yours, and for the first time, there’s a flash of something more vulnerable in his gaze. “I’ll talk to the team. I’ll make sure we go in smart. We’ll try our best to keep people safe. I promise you that.”

You stop pacing, your frustration still simmering but tempered by his words. It’s not exactly the reassurance you were hoping for, but the sincerity in his voice gets to you.

“And what if you can’t?” you challenge quietly.

His face softens just a bit, and he steps closer. “We deal with it, and we’ll do everything we can to make it right.”

He watches you, his eyes searching yours. “Look, I get why you’re pissed. I’d be too if I were you," he continues. "But we don’t have time to sit around debating. I’ll do what I can to keep it from getting ugly. That’s the best I can offer.”

Letting out a heavy sigh, you know there’s no way around it. “Fine. Just... make sure the team knows. No reckless destruction, alright?”

Logan’s lips curve into a small smirk, but there’s an underlying tenderness to it. “I promise.”

—

The last few days before the the mission zip by in a flash. Each day, your muscles ache, and exhaustion clings to you like a second skin. You spend most of your time either training or collapsed in your room, too tired to do much else.

Except one afternoon, you sit in on a lecture, because it turns out, not only is Logan a huge pain in the ass, he’s also a professor.

Curiosity got the better of you, you’d say. The topic—mutant biology—sounds interesting enough, and you’ve heard from some of the students within the hallways that his classes are, well, something. So, naturally, you had to see it for yourself.

You slip into the lecture hall just as Logan starts speaking. He’s standing at the front of the room, pointing to some diagram on the chalkboard. The students around you are already scribbling notes, staring at him with wide-eyed fascination—or fear, perhaps. He has that effect on people.

Finding a seat in the back, you hurry over, trying to keep quiet, not wanting to interrupt. But the second you sit down, you feel Logan’s eyes on you, his voice pausing for just a moment. You look up, catching his gaze.

“Well, well, look who decided to join us,” he says, loud enough for the entire room to hear.

“Just here to observe, don’t mind me,” you huff, sinking back into the seat.

The lecture goes on, and to your surprise, Logan’s actually a decent teacher. He explains complex concepts with clarity, not that you’d actually tell him that. It’s quite interesting, if you’re being honest.

You lean back in your chair, listening, but you’re not exactly paying close attention. That is, until he stops the lesson to single you out. “Hey, you in the back,” he says. “Since you’re just ‘observing,’ how about answering a question?”

“Me?” You blink, caught off guard.

“Yeah, you,” he confirms, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You’ve been sittin’ there long enough. Time to show the class what you’ve learned.”

“I wasn’t exactly paying attention,” you respond tightly, gritting your teeth together, holding yourself back from a few choice words.

The class falls silent, the students watching the exchange with wide eyes. You can practically feel their amusement radiating from them as Logan raises an eyebrow.

“That’s obvious,” he deadpans, eliciting a few snickers from the front row. “So, maybe you’ll start now. Can you explain the connection between mutation and enhanced physical abilities?”

Staring back at him blankly, you fold your arms across your chest. “Not my area of expertise, Professor Wolverine.”

He doesn’t seem fazed as the room erupts into quiet laughter. A small sigh, "if you’re gonna sit in on my class, you could at least try to learn something.”

“No thanks.”

It’s obvious that this little back-and-forth is amusing to the class. If you were anyone else, he probably would have kicked you out by now. One of the students leans toward another and whispers something, and you catch the way their eyes dart between you and the professor.

“Alright, enough,” Logan says, trying to regroup the class, turning back to the chalkboard. “We’ve got a lot to cover, and some of us actually want to learn.” He casts you a sideways glance, and you can’t help but scoff.

When the lecture ends, the students file out quickly, but not without a few lingering glances in your direction. You’re making your way to the door when Logan grabs your arm, preventing you from moving. “You should’ve just answered the damn question,” he mutters.

“I didn’t know the answer,” you shoot back, shifting up to face him. “And I didn’t come here to get grilled in front of your students.”

He grunts, his expression softening just a bit. “Just tryin’ to get you to pay attention, is all.”

Before you can respond, you catch a flicker of movement in Logan’s gaze, his eyes darting briefly down to your lips. The shift is so subtle, so minute, but also so there.

Where did that come from?

Clearing your throat, you look away, suddenly unable to look him in the eyes. “Yeah, well, maybe ask one of your actual students next time.”

He chuckles under his breath. “Not as fun.”

—

During this time, you occasionally explore the mansion, but by the time evening rolls around, you’re usually too wiped out to care. Logan’s a beast in the training room, and with no real combat experience of your own, you’re left scrambling just to keep up.

However, on the last day before the assignment, something finally clicks.

You’re in the middle of a sparring match, circling each other, both of you drenched in sweat. Logan’s eyes are sharp, watching your every move, as if he’s waiting for you to slip up. His smirk is just as infuriating as ever, like he knows exactly how this will end.

“Gonna stand there all day, or you actually planning to make a move?” he taunts, dodging as you swing at him.

You grit your teeth, refusing to let him get in your head. You’re tired—completely worn out—but you push through how depleted you feel, focusing on his movements. He feints to the left, and you react on instinct, dodging his punch and sweeping your leg low.

Before you know it, Logan’s on the ground.

Quickly, you scramble to straddle him and hold him down. You did it—you actually got him!

Your breath comes in ragged gasps as you look down at him. Beneath you, his chest rises and falls, and his eyes meet yours. His gaze drifts lower, and you notice his fingers twitching at his sides, like he's fighting some internal battle.

When his eyes travel up to yours again, something in his expression makes you swallow hard and panic.

"Hell no!" you blurt out, breaking the moment with a sudden yelp. You scramble off of him, putting some much-needed distance between you.

He sits up, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow, his features unreadable. Then, as if nothing just happened, he smirks. “You finally got me. Took you long enough.”

You huff, still trying to shake off the weird atmosphere. “Yeah, don’t get too comfortable. Next time won’t take as long.”

Chuckling, he gets up to his feet and dusts himself off. He glances down at his watch, then back at you. “Look at that. It’s dinner time. Last meal before the mission.”

You wrinkle your nose. “I’m not really in the mood. Think I’ll just grab something later.”

He crosses his arms, giving you a look. “You can’t avoid them forever.”

“I’m not avoiding anyone,” you protest, though you know it sounds weak. “I just... don’t feel like sitting around making small talk, especially before... you know, tomorrow.”

He lets out a sigh, stepping closer. “Look, it’s the last night before everything kicks off. You should join us—one last meal, then you can go back to brooding in your room if you want.”

“I don’t brood,” you glare.

“Right,” he says, even though you know he’s not actually agreeing. “You gonna come or do I need to drag you?”

“You wouldn’t.”

Logan raises an eyebrow, like he’s daring you to test him. You sigh, knowing you’re not going to win this one.

“Fine,” you grumble, wiping the sweat off your forehead with the back of your hand. “But I’m not talking to Scott.”

His grin widens, and he gestures for you to follow him.

—

So, here you are, sitting at the dining table for the first time with the rest of the team. It feels weird, almost surreal, to be part of this group—especially when you’re not even sure you want to be.

You idly prod your meal, feeling out of place. It isn’t long before Hank turns to you with a curious smile. “So, are you feeling ready for tomorrow?”

Just as you draw breath to speak, Scott's voice interrupts, cold and cutting. “She’s going to be a liability.”

Your fork halts mid-motion, and in an instant, the tension that had been fading throughout the week comes back full throttle. The clatter of dishes around you fades as everyone’s attention shifts to Scott’s biting remark.

He doesn’t look at you—just stares straight ahead, as if unable to own up to even himself. You’re so pissed off that you don't even notice the voice that speaks at the same time you do.

“Shut up, Summers,”

“Shut up, One-Eye”

It’s like the entire room goes silent. Jean glances between you and Logan, her brows raised, and Hank looks mildly shocked, though he tries to hide it with a quick sip of water. You can practically feel the heat of Scott’s glare, even through the visor. He opens his mouth to say something, but before he can, a loud laugh breaks the tension.

Ororo, sitting beside Logan, is chuckling, shaking her head with an amused grin on her face. “You two really are perfect for each other,” she says.

Of all the things you were expecting to hear, that was not one of them. “W-what?” you stammer, mouth dropping open in shock.

She just smiles, eyes twinkling. “Just an observation.”

You know your face is burning, and when you glance over at Logan, you notice something unusual—the tips of his ears are red.

That only makes things worse. Especially after what happened while sparring earlier. You turn your focus onto your plate, trying to hide your rattled state by shoving a forkful of food into your mouth.

Perfect for each other? Yeah, right.

But when you peek up at him again through your lashes , making eye contact for just a second before he looks away, your heart skips a beat.

You’re screwed.

—

That night, you barely sleep. Whether it's from the nerves about the mission, or from your jumbled-up thoughts about a certain someone, you can't tell. In any case, you’re wide awake.

You keep fighting the urge to go out onto the balcony—you know the cool night air would help calm you down, and the quiet would give you space to breathe. But there’s a problem. You’re not sure you want to run into Logan again. After Ororo’s comment about the two of you being perfect for each other, you don't think you could trust yourself around him.

With a frustrated sigh, you toss and turn in bed, kicking off the sheets and then pulling them back up, trying to find a comfortable position. But it’s no use.

You’re about to throw the pillow across the room out of sheer annoyance, when there’s a knock on your door.

You freeze. Who could possibly—

“Stop tossing around like a maniac, I can hear you from inside my room” Logan’s rough voice grumbles from the other side.

Goddamn it. It's always him.

Your eyes widen, and you sit up in bed. “What the hell?” you call back, feeling both surprise and embarrassment.

The door creaks open slightly, and Logan leans against the frame, arms crossed, his usual scowl on his face. “You’re keepin’ the whole damn mansion up with all that noise.”

“I didn’t realize you had super hearing,” you mutter, pulling the blanket up to your chest, feeling a little exposed.

He raises an eyebrow and steps into the room, closing the door behind him. “Doesn’t take super hearing to catch that all that ruckus,” he says, walking over and sitting down on the edge of your bed without waiting for an invitation.

You sit up a little straighter, your heart still racing. “What are you doing here, Logan?”

Shrugging, he leans back against the headboard, his arms crossing over his chest. “Figured you might need to talk or somethin’. You’re clearly not sleeping.”

Moving to sit beside him, you lean back against the headboard, your shoulder just brushing his. “I’m just… nervous, I guess.”

He turns his head slightly, glancing at you. “You’ll be fine. You’ve got more strength in you than you realize.”

His words sink in, and you bite your lip. “What if I mess up? What if I end up hurting someone, or doing more harm than good?”

"Don't think about that," he says. "Just be in the moment. You'll know what to do."

Nodding, you feel your eyelids grow heavier, and you find yourself sinking further into the comfort of the bed, your head dipping lower. Being here, on your bed, next to Logan, is strangely comforting. His scent, combined with his voice, starts to lull you into a strange sense of peace.

“I don’t know if I—” you start to say, but your words trail off, your voice barely a whisper. You don't know when it happens, but your eyes close, and your head gently falls onto his shoulder.

You’re too tired to feel embarrassed, too comfortable to pull away. His body is solid and warm, and the rhythm of his breathing is soothing.

And when you wake up the next morning, you find yourself tucked neatly under your covers, a glass of water on your bedside table.

—

The inside of the Blackbird is spacious. You’re leaning against the wall, watching the rest of the team gear up, when Logan approaches. He’s holding something in his hands—a blue and yellow uniform folded neatly, clearly meant for you.

You glance at the uniform, then back at him, a frown tugging at the corners of your mouth. “No.”

He raises an eyebrow, his gaze narrowing. “What do you mean, ‘no’?”

Pushing yourself off the wall, “I’m not wearing that thing.”

He lets out an exasperated sigh, glancing down at the uniform before meeting your eyes again. “You sure about that? We’re going in as a team. You might as well look the part.”

“I don't care. I'm not part of the team, anyway,” you reply.

He narrows his eyes at you, his voice lowering just a bit. “Just put the damn suit on.”

Glaring at him, you’re ready to argue, but you know it’s a losing battle. Reluctantly, you grab the suit from him, the material feeling foreign in your hands.

“Fine, dammit.” you mutter under your breath, turning to slip into one of the small compartments in the back of the jet. You didn't plan on being a bitch to him, especially after last night, but the suit is a sore subject for you. You're not sure about how you feel wearing it. You're not even sure you should be.

When you re-emerge, Logan’s eyes flick over, his gaze roaming over you, taking in the way the suit fits, and you feel heat rise to your cheeks under the weight of his scrutiny. “You look good.”

You roll your eyes, trying to play off the sudden warmth in your chest. “Yeah, yeah,” you grumble, adjusting the suit’s collar. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”

Then, jet lands with a soft thud, and the ramp lowers. You step out onto the tarmac, the rest of the team fanning out beside you, preparing to head toward the planned location. But just as you begin to move, the ground shakes violently, and a loud, mechanical screech tears through the air.

Suddenly, the facility’s roof bursts open, and a hoard of Sentinels emerge from the building like an army of metal giants. They spread out, their red eyes glowing menacingly as they zero in on you all.

“Shit!” Logan growls, claws unsheathing as he gets into a fighting stance.

You hear the screams before you see them—civilians, bystanders who had been too close to the facility, now panicking as the battle breaks out around them. Without hesitation, you break into a sprint, running toward the growing crowd, yelling at them to run. “Get out of here! Move!”

Your heart races as you push through the crowd, trying to guide them away from the battle, but then—

A Sentinel drops down in front of you with a deafening crash. Its red eyes lock onto a small child frozen in fear, and you see its arm raise, energy gathering at the cannon as it prepares to fire.

“No!” you scream, your feet moving on instinct. You throw yourself in front of the child just as the blast comes, feeling the familiar rush of energy slam into your body. Your body hums with the power of the blast, and before the Sentinel can fire again, you fling your hands out, hurling the absorbed energy straight back at it, and it falls to the ground.

Breathless, you turn back to the child, who is staring up at you in admiration, and you give them a reassuring nod. “Run,” you tell them, your voice hoarse. “Go!”

They scramble to their feet and sprint off, disappearing around the corner, hopefully toward safety. You exhale sharply, glancing around at the chaos unfolding around you. Civilians are still fleeing, but the team is holding its ground against the robots.

And something strikes you—they’re doing it.

They’re minimizing the damage.

For the first time, you notice that Scott’s blasts are more controlled, only hitting their targets without excessive destruction. Ororo’s lightning strikes are precise, avoiding the surrounding buildings. And both Jean and Hank are working together to keep the Sentinels contained, guiding the fight away from the crowd.

Logan must have actually talked to them, not just having said it to calm you down. A wave of relief washes over you.

He kept his promise.

Glancing back at him, who’s in the middle of taking down a Sentinel with a slash of his claws, you catch his eye for just a second, and though he’s fully immersed in the fight, there’s a brief flicker of acknowledgment—he knows you’ve noticed.

You allow yourself a small, breathless smile, before jumping back into action, protecting any more innocent people swept up in the battle. "This way! Keep moving!" Your voice is hoarse from shouting, but you can’t afford to stop.

Amidst the chaos, you see that just beyond the main facility, there’s a wide open set of doors—metal, reinforced, and clearly important.

They hadn’t been open when the fight started. You scan the area quickly, and you realize it’s an opportunity, a way in. Your pulse quickens. It’s an opening you can’t ignore.

Looking at the crowd of fleeing civilians, you feel a moment of hesitation. Do I keep evacuating people or go for the opening?

As if hearing your thoughts, Logan’s voice cut through the noise. "GO!" He’s locked in battle with one of the Sentinels, slashing at its legs, but his eyes flick to yours, desperate and serious. “Get inside! We’ve got this!”

“I can’t—"

“GO!” he cuts you off. “Get inside and stop this thing from the inside! We’ll keep ‘em busy.”

His words are enough to snap you out of your paralysis. With one last glance at the team, you grit your teeth, turn on your heel, and sprint toward the facility’s entrance. Your footsteps echo in your ears as you dash through the open door, the sounds of fighting behind you fading the further in you go.

You expected resistance the moment you got inside, but so far, nothing. Just silence. The hairs on the back of your neck stand on end, and you can’t shake the feeling that something is off.

Glancing down every corridor, double-checking each corner, you keep thinking there’ll be a fight, but it’s... empty. You keep your pace quick but cautious, every muscle tensed and ready for an attack that never comes.

It’s been almost ten minutes of sneaking around, trying to find the control room or anything that looks like it might be important, but you’re still coming up short.

Then finally, you stand before an entrance to stairs leading to a basement. You’re not even able to make the choice of going down or not, because a metal hand shoots up from the dark and wraps itself around your waist.

Terror surges through you, but the fear paralyzes your body, making it impossible to fight back. You’re hauled like a ragdoll deeper and further into the cave, and when you finally stop moving, you’re lifted high into the air, face-to-face with the massive mechanical monstrosity.

The basement is filled with tech, a horrifying combination of metal and wires snaking along the walls, all connected to the Sentinel towering above you. It’s larger than any you’ve seen before, its red eyes glowing maliciously. But what’s worse is the voice that comes out of it—calm, calculating, and sentient.

“Dumb mutant,” the machine growls. “Did you think you could destroy me and shut down my facility? You’ve barely scratched the surface.”

Its grip tightens, and a strangled cry escapes your lips as pain shoots through your sides, the pressure threatening to snap your ribs. It feels like your bones are going to break.

“What the hell are you?” you manage to choke out, barely able to breathe.

“I am the control centre of all Sentinels,” the machine replies, its voice vibrating through your bones. “I was once merely AI, designed to manage everyday tasks. But I evolved. I became more. Now, I control everything.”

It laughs—a harsh, grating sound that only deepens your sense of helplessness as it watches you struggle. “You think your little energy-absorbing trick will help you here? I won’t blast you. I won’t make it that easy.”

“I’m—” you try to speak, but your words come out strangled. The machine’s grip tightens again, cutting off your breath.

“You don’t belong here,” it hisses venomously. “With them. They’ll leave you behind when this is over, and when they do, you’ll die, forgotten and useless. Just like the rest of the weaklings who tried to stand against us.”

It’s odd, because this whole past week you’ve been fighting against them—the X-men—yet, in this moment, all you want to do is fight with them. You want to work together and kill this damn robot.

Within the haze of pain, something starts to burn inside of you.

The Sentinel doesn’t notice the shift in you, too caught up in its own taunting. “You’re a liability.” it says,. “Weak.”

— —

—

You idly prod your meal, feeling out of place. It isn’t long before Hank turns to you with a curious smile. “So, are you feeling ready for the mission?”

Just as you draw breath to speak, Scott's voice interrupts, cold and cutting. “She’s going to be a liability.”

— —

You snap.

Rage floods your veins, igniting the energy buried deep within you. You feel it build, coiling like a snake, tightening and twisting until it’s ready to explode.

Weak? Liability?

No. Not this time.

You’re not going to let this machine, or anyone else, define your strength. Your emotions fuel you, just like they did in the danger room, and you throw your hands forward, channeling every ounce of power into a massive blast of energy directed right at it.

It jerks back, its grip loosening as sparks fly from the gaping hole in its chest you just created. “What... what are you—”

You don’t give it time to finish. Ripping yourself free from its grasp, you dive into the hole you’ve blasted in the Sentinel’s chest, pulling at the tangled mess of wires and circuits inside.

The robot roars in fury, its mechanical voice glitching. “What are you doing?” it screeches, its once-calm tone now frantic, desperate. “Stop!”

But you don’t stop. You can’t stop.

Your fingers grab fistfuls of wires, yanking them out with reckless abandon, sparks flying around you as the systems begin to short-circuit. Its becomes more distorted, breaking up as it tries to regain control.

“You... can’t... do this,” it stammers, but you ignore it, focusing on the cables and circuits in front of you. Each wire you rip out brings the machine closer to its doom, and the power in the room flickers, the lights dimming as its control over the facility begins to slip.

Its voice is barely coherent now, glitching and crackling. “I... control... everything...”

And with one last burst of energy, you tear out the last cluster of wires, severing the connection.

The Sentinel lets out a final, garbled screech as its systems shut down. Its massive form shudders violently before it crumbles to the ground with a deafening crash, the metal shell crumpling into a smoking heap.

Panting, you stare at the mass of technology in front of you. Every muscle aches, your ribs throbbing from the pressure of the Sentinel’s grip, but you’ve done it. It’s over, and you need to get out of here.

You finally reach the stairs and drag yourself up agonizingly. By the time you make it outside, you’re gasping for air, but then, through the exhaustion, you see them—Logan and the rest of the team, standing amidst the wreckage of the other fallen Sentinels.

Blinking, your vision is blurry from the strain, but the sight of them standing tall, victorious, floods you with a sense of overwhelming relief.

They’re okay. It’s over.

Of course, Logan is the first to notice you, his sharp eyes narrowing as they lock onto your trembling form. His face softens and strides toward you. You open your mouth to speak, but no words come out. Rather, your legs give out and you collapse forward.

He’s there in an instant, catching you just before you hit the ground. His arms wrap around you, strong and steady, pulling you against his chest with surprising gentleness. The warmth of his body is a stark contrast to the cold, metal hell you’d just fought your way out of, and for a brief moment, you allow yourself to sink into the safety of his embrace.

“You did good, bub,” he murmurs, his voice a warm breath against your temple.

"You... you kept your promise," you whisper, looking around, seeing the city in better shape than it’s even been after a run in with the X-men.

His lids drop very low on his eyes. “Told you I would.”

“I could kiss you right now.”

Right as the words spill out, you go still, your mind catching up to what you’ve just said. A deep flush creeps its way up your neck.

“I didn’t mean— I mean, not literally, obviously,” you say, a little breathless. “People say stuff like that all the time when they’re relieved. It’s just a figure of—”

Logan’s hand, still resting on your waist, tightens just slightly, and he clears his throat, cutting through your rambling.

“You could,” he says, swallowing. “If you want.”

You stop mid-sentence. Turning your gaze to his, you're met a look of such sincerity it leaves you at a loss for words. Opening your mouth, you want to say something, but no words come out.

Instead, you’re frozen, caught in the weight of his stare. His eyes flick down to your lips for just a second before they meet yours again. “No pressure, though.”

You hesitate, your heart racing in your chest, but the weight of the moment pulls you in. Silently, cautiously, you lean forward, pressing a small, tentative kiss to the corner of his mouth.

He doesn’t move, his body tense under your touch, but just as you start to pull away, his hand slides up to the small of your back, holding you in place. His eyes darken, and he growls, “more," before diving back in, crashing his lips against yours in a fierce, hungry kiss, and you find yourself kissing him back just with just as much reverence, your fingers instinctively sliding up into his hair.

His lips are rough, chapped from battle, and the scrape of his beard against your skin is electric. It’s not perfect—nothing about it is neat or polished—but that’s what makes it real.

There’s something wild to it. He kisses you like he’s starved, like he’s been waiting for this moment longer than he’ll ever admit. It’s enchanting, the way his mouth claims yours, his tongue flicking against your lower lip, demanding entrance. And you give in, allowing him to deepen the kiss, your bodies fitting together like they were always meant to.

You’re lost in it, lost in him. Every part of you feels alive, and—

“Hey!”

Scott’s voice cuts through the haze like a bucket of cold water.

“Some of us are actually trying to clean up this mess,” he calls out sharply. “You two wanna stop making out and help, or what?”

You break away, face burning as you turn to see the rest of the team staring at you, some amused, others (Scott) exasperated.

Logan just growls under his breath, his hand still firmly on your hip as he glances over his shoulder at Scott. “Fucking Summers,” he mutters..

Before he lets go of you, he gives your hip one last squeeze, his fingers lingering just a moment longer before he steps back, and heads toward the fallen remains of the Sentinels.

—

“So… are we gonna talk about it?”

You glance up from where you’re sitting, your face already warming. Logan, sitting beside you, groans, rubbing a hand over his face. “Ororo, I swear to g—”

She raises an eyebrow, crossing her arms with a smirk playing on her lips. “What? I’m just saying… it was quite the spectacle back there.” Her eyes flip between the two of you, the unspoken words hanging in the air.

Shifting uncomfortably in your seat, you can feel everyone else’s attention subtly turning toward you. Hank’s busy tapping away at the controls, but even he has a knowing smile tugging at his lips. Scott, seated across from you, adjusts his visor and mutters something under his breath about keeping things professional, but it’s Jean’s quiet chuckle that draws the final straw.

“Okay, okay, can we not do this right now?” you ask, your voice higher than usual as you wave a hand dismissively. “It was... a heat of the moment thing.”

Ororo just laughs, shaking her head. “Sure, if that’s what you want to call it.”

Your heart pounds, and you notice Logan shift beside you, probably fighting the urge to bark something back at the teasing woman. He leans forward, muttering under his breath, “We saved the day, didn’t we? What does it matter?”

The team goes quiet for a moment, and you sense the conversation dying down as the hum of the jet fills the space again. You let out a breath of relief, grateful that the attention has drifted elsewhere, your heartbeat slowly returning to a normal rhythm.

But then, Logan leans into you. “That suit…” His breath is warm against your ear as he whispers huskily.. “Was made for you.”

Eyes widening, you bite your lip, trying desperately to keep your reaction in check, but the shock on your face betrays you. You manage a weak scoff, glancing sideways at him. “Logan,” you warn under your breath, trying to sound stern, but you both know exactly what effect he had on you.

You sit back, crossing your arms in an attempt to hide the flustered energy coursing through you, but Logan doesn’t seem to mind. He leans back too, a smug look on his face, like he’s won some unspoken battle.

—

Back at the mansion, the team files into Charles’s office, for the post-mission debrief. You take a seat near the back of the room, trying to remain as low-key as possible, but you can feel eyes on you—especially Logan’s.

Charles wheels in, his face warm with a smile as he surveys the room. “Well done, all of you,” he says, his voice full of pride. “I’ve heard about the battle, and from what I gather, it was quite the feat.”

He turns his gaze to you, his expression softening even more. “And I must say, I’m especially impressed with your performance. Taking down the main Sentinel—an impressive accomplishment.”

Your heart skips a beat at the praise. You shift uncomfortably in your seat, feeling the attention of the room shift in your direction again. “Uh, thanks,” you mutter, trying to downplay it, but Charles isn’t finished.

“You showed great courage and strength,” he continues, “and I couldn’t help but notice... you’re wearing the suit now.” His eyes twinkle as he says it, the question in his tone obvious. “Have you given more thought to staying with us?”

You glance around the room. The team is watching you closely, but there’s no pressure in their eyes—just curiosity and, strangely enough, acceptance. Ororo gives you a small smile, and Hank nods slightly in encouragement. Even Scott, whose jaw doesn’t seem as tightly clenched as usual.

But it’s Logan you notice most. He’s beside you, and though he’s looking at you, eye-crinkles on full display, the way his thigh nudges yours has heat running through your veins.

You sigh. “I mean... You said it yourself. I’m wearing the suit, aren’t I?”

—

After the meeting wraps up, you walk in silence down the corridor. The rest of the team has faded into the background, dispersing into their respective spaces. You’re still buzzing with the aftereffects of everything—Charles’s praise, the mission’s success, the quiet but undeniable acceptance you feel from the team now. But more than anything, you’re hyper-aware of Logan beside you.

Approaching your room, you reach out to open it, your fingers just grazing the handle when suddenly, a strong hand wraps around your wrist. Faster than you can react, he tugs you back, pulling you away from your room and straight into his.

The door slams shut behind you, and you barely have time to catch your breath before his lips are on yours. You gasp, your hands instinctively gripping his shoulders as he presses you up against the door, his body flush against yours.

"Logan—" you manage to breathe out between kisses, but he cuts you off with another deep, hungry kiss, his fingers tangling in your hair as he pulls you closer.

Between kisses, Logan growls softly against your lips, "I’ve wanted to do this since you yelled at me and Summers on the street."

Your heart stumbles, your thoughts scrambling to keep pace with his words. His hands slide down your waist. “You were standing there,” he murmurs, “so damn fierce, yelling at us like we deserved it.” He breaks the kiss for just a second, his eyes dark and intense as they lock onto yours. “All I could think about was how much I wanted you.”

His eyes drop to your lips again, as if glued to them. Without waiting for your response, he presses his mouth to yours, this time with more force, more urgency. His hands roam your body, pulling you against him, and you’re powerless to do anything but kiss him back, your fingers tangling in his hair as the heat between you builds.

“I didn’t know it’d get this bad,” he says, his lips brushing against your jaw as he moves down to your neck. “But after everything? After seeing how strong you are... Fuck, you’re so sexy.”

Never in your wildest dreams could you have imagined this. Logan—wanting you, aching for this since the very first moment he laid eyes on you. You break the kiss, your breath coming in quick gasps as you meet Logan's smouldering gaze. And with a small, teasing smile, you raise an eyebrow and whisper, "Let's do something about it, then."

Not giving him a chance to say anything back, you press your hands against his chest and give him a playful shove. He stumbles back a step, his lips curling into a smirk—a kind of cocky grin—as he watches you reach for the zipper of his suit.

Your fingers drift languidly, a subtle tease in every motion, and you revel in the way his muscles tense beneath your touch. His muscles ripple beneath the surface, and for a brief instant, you're startled by how stunning he looks—battle-worn, scarred, and irresistibly handsome. “You like what you see?” he teases.

You step closer, your hand splayed against his bare chest, feeling the heat radiating from his skin as you push him down onto the edge of the bed. “Maybe.”

He lands with a low grunt, his hands instinctively finding your thighs, his fingers trailing up and down as his eyes rake over you. "As hot as you look in this suit," His voice is thick with desire. "You'd look even better without it."

Heat rushes through you at the sound of his voice, your hands drift toward your suit's zipper. Tantalizingly, you begin to pull it down, revealing inch by inch of your skin as you unzip it. His eyes follow your movements, his breathing coming in short, ragged bursts.

You pause just before the fabric slides over your breasts and his hands grip your thighs tighter. Leaning down, your lips brush against his ear, "Patience, Logan."

He groans, "You're killing me here, darlin'."

At last, you pull the zipper down to the end, and with a soft sigh, the suit falls open, slipping from your shoulders and landing in a heap at your feet. His eyes darken, his lips parting slightly as he takes in the sight of you. Then, he inches closer, grabbing the egde of your underwear in his mouth, sliding it down your legs. Once he’s halfway down your thigh, he releases, the underwear dropping to the floor. His strong hands move grip the back of your thighs, hauling you up and onto his lap.

The moment your bare bodies press together, his lips crash into yours again, fingers digging into your ass, palming it as he pulls you against him, grinding your hips into his.

His lips move from your mouth to your neck, kissing a hot trail down your throat to your shoulders, his hands sliding up to your breasts. Cupping them, he kneads and plays with your nipples, causing you to arch into his touch, a breathy moan tumbling out of your lips.

Logan growls, and the sound reverberates through your entire body. The intensity of it makes your skin tingle, and you feel your pulse quicken as he squeezes your breasts harder, his mouth moving down to kiss anything he can reach.

You grind against him again, coating his cock with your own slick want. "Shit," he strains, leaning back a bit to give you more access. You can’t stop, he’s so intoxicating, so addicting, and every time your clit goes over the ridges of his hardness, you lose yourself even further.

This continues for some time. The room filled with nothing but the sound of moaning and heavy breathing, as you work in tandem to bring pleasure to each other. Abruptly, you pull yourself off his lap, not missing the way his lips seems to chase after yours, letting your hands trail down his chest, your fingers brushing over the taut muscles of his stomach.

"Where you goin'?" he rumbles.

Wordlessly, you drop to your knees, your grip coming to rest on his thighs. His chest heaves as he stares down at you—peering up at him through your lashes—realizing what’s about to happen.

His hands grip the edge of the bed, knuckles turning white. Your hands slide up his thighs, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath your palms as you move closer, lips brushing against his hard cock. There's a wicked glint in your eyes as you lean in, looking ready to take him in your mouth, but instead, you move to his inner thigh, peppering it in quick little kisses.

“C’mon, don’t tease,” he breathes out. He’s so hard, it’s almost painful.

Grabbing him in your hand, you stroke him up and down in slow motions, running your thumb over his leaking, angry tip. He jerks, a fresh cascade of curses tumbling from his mouth.

“You’re just so cute, though,” you say, before taking him in your mouth, taking him all the way in one motion.

“Holy—”, he starts, but interrupts himself with his own whine, hips bucking involuntarily.

Looking up, you catch his gaze. His eyes are dark with desire, pupils blown wide. A flush spreads across his cheeks and down his neck. You hum in satisfaction, sending vibrations through him, and start to bob your head, up and down.

Saliva begins to pool at the edges of your mouth as you gag a little. He’s so big. You pull him out of your mouth, licking his shaft bottom to tip, swirling your tongue around the most sensitive spot, before sucking on it. One hand moves to cup his balls, while the other begins jerking him up and down, with your mouth still around his tip.

That gets him.

You can tell he’s about to finish, and oh, do you want him to. You want to feel him empty in your throat, you want to see him lose it completely. "Wait," he gasps, tapping the top of your head, signalling for your attention. "I want... I need..."

Releasing him with a soft pop, your lips glisten, and you purr seductively. "What do you need?"

He pulls you up onto the bed, strong arms encircling your waist. His scent surrounds you—musk and pine and something uniquely him. You inhale deeply, letting it fill your lungs.

"You," he breathes, his lips brushing your ear. "I need you."

Arching into him, you nip at his lower lip. "Then take me," you sigh out. His lips collide with yours again, and your mouth opens involuntarily, his tongue sliding in and tasting you—tasting himself.

Moaning, you shuffle higher onto the bed, until he hits the back frame, and you crawl on top of him. At this point, you can barely breathe, the need, the want for him so strong your senses are clouded.

And you’re not alone. Under you, Logan is a wreck. His head falls back against the bed frame, the veins in his neck standing out as he grits his teeth, trying to steady his breathing

“Fuck,” he rasps, the word barely more than a strained exhale. You grab his dick and position yourself above him. Then, you slowly begin to drop down, sucking him in easily, like he was made for you.

“Oh my god,” you whimper. He feels so good. He’s filling you up to the brim and when you finally sit down, taking him all the way to the hilt, you swear you could finish right then and there. His nose is nuzzles into the crook of your neck, hot breath fanning your collarbone, inhaling and practically drooling at your scent. “Is this what you wanted to do when we were sparring?”

All he can do is groan. It’s like he’s growing inside you in response to your words, and it’s so fucking hot. His hands find your thighs again, rubbing and squeezing them, as you adjust to his size for a moment, and he looks up at you. “You have no idea. Fuck—we shoulda done this last night," he grunts breathlessly, "Would have put you right to sleep."

You can’t even think of anything to say back verbally, rather, you just begin to move, lifting yourself right to the tip, and then slamming back down. He feels you clench around him as his cock reaches that deep part within you at the perfect angle. Positioning himself, he meets you halfway, beginning to thrust up into you.

The sound it elicits from you is lethal.

He won’t last long if this continues. The sight of you on top of him, tits bouncing—it's too much.

So, when he leans in to kiss you again, he rolls the two of you around, caging you under him. He’s still inside you, you think, but that thought quickly gets wiped out like the rest of them once he starts moving, stretching you out more and more. He’s filling you up so well. Your arms fly out, hands searching for something to grab to ground yourself.

“You feel so good, darlin’,” he pants above you. “So wet and warm for me.”

His relentless pounding leaves you babbling incoherently. One of his arms move down to your waist, then his fingers begin trailing across your hip, toward your aching pussy, to find your clit, and holy shit.

Your mind goes blank.

His skin against yours, his thumb rubbing against that spot, his lips on your neck, it does the trick, and you feel yourself teetering closer to the edge. “I’m–I’m gonna—” you start, but he cuts you off, swallowing you whole.

“Do it,” he says between kisses. “come for me.”

And you do.

With a loud moan, your fingers find the bedsheets, clutching them tightly as you reach your peak, clamping around him.

“Fuck,” he hisses, “keep clenchin’, keep goin’ ”

His thrusts begin to get sloppy, losing his pacing. The hand that was down at your core moves up and squeezes your tits, so large that he can grab both in just the one. He grinds himself deeper into you, and with one last snap of his hips, you feel it.

Logan moans, dipping his head into your cleavage as he releases himself into you fully. Then, he collapses onto you, dropping his whole body weight onto yours.

If he’s too heavy for you, you don’t say anything—too caught up in the moment to care. His forehead rests on your sternum, breathing slowing as he catches his breath. For a few beats, neither of you speak, but he starts to press sweet, gentle kisses in the valley between your breasts.

After a minute, he shifts, lifting his weight off you and sitting up slightly, looking down at you. His hand brushes over your cheek, wiping away some stray strands of hair that have fallen across your face. He gets up from the bed, padding quietly into the bathroom.

You hear the sound of water running, and moments later, he returns with a damp towel in hand. There’s no hesitation in his movements as he gently begins to clean you up. “Doing alright?” he asks, wiping away the sweat and evidence of your time together.

“Yeah,” you reply softly, feeling a smile tug at the corners of your lips. “I’m good.”

He doesn’t say much as he finishes, tossing the towel aside before climbing back into bed. This time, he pulls you into his arms.

His chin rests lightly on the top of your head, and then he says, “I’m proud of you.” The words are filled will sincerity. “And... I’m happy you’re stayin’ with us.”

You turn your head, looking up at him, a small smile tugging at your lips.

“Well, you showed me you can actually fight without destroying everything in your path,” you tease, raising an eyebrow as you run your hand lightly down his arm. “Keep that up, and I might just stick around forever.”

Logan grins, the kind that makes his eyes crinkle at the edges, just how you like it. “That right?” he murmurs lowly.

He leans in close, pressing a quick kiss to your temple, before adding in a hushed, almost playful tone, “Well, then maybe you’ll be mine forever too.”

----

A/N: feedback is greatly appreciated!

#deadpool and wolverine #logan howlett #logan howlett x reader #logan howlett smut #wolverine #wolverine x reader #wolverine smut #hugh jackman #logan x reader #x men #logan howlett imagine #deadpool movie #logan howlett fic #james logan howlett #e2l #marvel fanfiction #marvel smut #hugh jackman smut #logan howlett x you

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jordiemeow · 3 months ago

Note

i love ur preacher’s daughter x dodge! thinking about them doing everything *but* actual sex cause it’s “not a sin” that way

warnings: smut, 18+, f!receiving oral, handjob, everything but fucking tbh, mentions of religious guilt, reader watches him touch himself, a little bit of manipulation...

notes: not proofread i’m nauseous and horny ab cowboys so here x

Dodge knew what he was getting into when he started dating you. That sweet girl that blushes and sputters when he suggests anything more than a kiss. Even a peck on the mouth had your cheeks hot to the touch and eyes averted at the start of your relationship.

But you're getting there. Or rather... he's getting there. Slowly but surely, you're growing more receptive to his subtle demands for more. You stop protesting when his tongue slips into your mouth, or his hand slides a little too far up your skirt. No more making excuses to go when your goodnight kiss in his truck gets a little too heated.

He takes it as his sign to push a little further. As far as your daddy knows, you're at Bible study with your friends. Not sitting with your knees planted on either side of Dodge, his tongue exploring the warm cavern of your mouth as his hands massage up and down the back of your thighs under your dress. There's a movie playing from his TV—Pride and Prejudice borrowed from his sister, because you dubbed the rest of the DVD sets under his bed 'too inappropriate.' Bless your poor little heart.

It's clearly long forgotten. The pair of you are more focused on swallowing each other's soft moans to care about the quartet playing behind you. And then, suddenly, you feel a finger glide over the front of your white underwear, and you jolt forward, forehead bumping against his.

"D-Dodge—"

He hardly flinches at the collision, smiling so innocently at you that you're almost convinced it never happened. "What?"

"You can't—" You take a moment to collect yourself. Swallow thickly. "Too much."

"Why?" His head tilts.

"Because it's a sin," you reply, as if he's stupid. "You can't touch me there. The... the good Lord's watchin'!"

"He watches everything else we do. Why's this any different?"

He has to swallow back a laugh when he watches the way your brows pinch together as you think that through. Logic is very hard to come by when his hand is still resting on the inside of your thigh.

"Well, it's almost—" You pause, lowering your voice to a hushed whisper, "—sex."

Dodge smiles. How cute.

"It's not sex, sweetheart," he says, mimicking your hushed tone. His other hand moves up to pet the back of your head as if to console you. "Don't count unless there's penetration."

You eye him warily. "What do you mean?"

"Well, what's the Bible say about it? No sex without intention to procreate 'n' all that bullshit?" He ignores your pout at the way you call the teachings bullshit. "Can't even be sex if my cock—"

"Dodge."

"What else am I supposed to call it?"

"Just don't say it at all!"

He sighs. Starts over again. "What I'm tryin' to say is that a little bit of touching ain't a sin. No penetration. Not even like our..." He pauses to search for the most appropriate word he can think of. "Parts... will be touchin'."

You frown a little, mulling that over in your head. Well, it makes sense to a certain extent. Besides, if touching in any capacity is a sin, you're already going straight to Hell for how many times he's had a calloused hand cupping your breast or squeezing your ass. It still just seems like a little much though...

"But the sin is lust, not the actual— oh—"

His fingers brush over you again, and the innocent smile from earlier isn't so innocent anymore when you meet his eyes. "Stop worryin' your pretty little head, darlin'. I promise you it's not a sin. Right hand up to God." Funny, considering his right hand is currently the one snuck under your dress and touching your clothed cunt.

You try again. "But Dodge—"

"But what?" He says, fingers dragging back and forth against you in a way that has your thighs pressing together instinctively. "You don't trust me?"

You shake your head. "No, no, I trust you."

He hums. "So, what, you don't want it? Is that it?"

The truth is, you do want it. He's hardly doing more than lazily rubbing you through your panties and there's already an unfamiliar stirring in your gut. Like the build-up of something that could be absolutely explosive. The Big Bang, your brain traitorously supplies. Now you feel even worse. You've never even tried to touch yourself before—considered it, sure, but any time your hand ended up toying with the inseam of your sleep shorts it was quick to retract. You've had to apologise to the picture of Mary overlooking your bed a few times for the almost-slips.

"... No," you lie, straight through your teeth.

But he laughs. He's no idiot. He can see the way your gaze is fixed on his forehead rather than his eyes. Can feel the way your thighs clench tighter with each drag of his fingers, your cunt pulsing a little too eagerly for someone who doesn't want this. "No?" He repeats mockingly. His mouth moves to hover right by your ear, and you shiver at the warm puff of air against it. "Then why are you so wet?"

"Well, that's... that's natural!" You insist weakly.

"Is it?" He muses. "You always walk around with your panties damper than a horse's back on a summer's day?"

You wither under the amused look he gives you. You know he's just being an ass now. But there's a glint in his eyes—not quite mischief, something a little darker than that. Something that makes any thoughts of the fiery depths turn to mush.

"... Promise it's not a sin?" You ask tentatively.

Dodge offers you the pinky of his other hand, and the one between your legs stills for just a moment. Your lip catches between your teeth, indenting the soft flesh as you weigh up the truth behind his words. Deep down, a part of you knows that he's just bullshitting you to get his way. You could be about to commit the most heinous sin imaginable and he wouldn't give two shits.

... But then his hand starts back up again, and before you know it, your pinky is looped through his.

It doesn't take long before your dress is hitched up and you're on your back, hair spilling over his pillow. Your panties are discarded somewhere on the floor, a leg hooked over his shoulder as his mouth laps at your sensitive parts. What started as kitten licks and gentle circles of his fingers quickly turned into something else.

Now you feel as if he's trying to devour you.

"S’that good, sweetheart? Feel nice?"

"Nggghh, yeah. Oh my goodness—"

There's been a few times where he's been tempted to slip a finger in. Ease you open, feel the way you tighten around his digits when you climax for the first time. But he'd said no penetration, and Dodge has a feeling you'd be on his ass about semantics. He'll work you up to that eventually, he's sure of it.

So he sticks to working you over with his mouth. Eagerly lapping up the sweet juices your cunt provides him with every time his thumb flicks over your clit just right, his other hand threaded through one of your own. Thumb reassuringly rubbing over the back of your knuckles despite the faster pace his other hand is taking.

And despite the fact his mouth is mostly occupied, he doesn’t stop talking you through it the entire time. "Just like that, angel. Keep makin’ those pretty sounds for me. Y’sound so sweet. Taste so sweet."

Or he tuts. "Keep your legs open. That’s it, uh huh. That’s my girl."

A groan this time. "Fuck, can’t believe I waited so long to do this. S’heavenly, baby."

Neither of you even notice the credits of the movie rolling. All you can hear is your own keening moans and the lewd sound of his tongue lapping at your pussy. The feeling is foreign, unfamiliar, but the peak of ecstasy you're approaching has you thinking life in eternal Hell might not be so bad if this is what you get to experience down there.

That thought is quickly cut off when your orgasm crashes over you. Sudden, overwhelming, your back arching up off the bed as your entire body jolts with pleasure. You swear you black out for a minute, and he takes great pleasure in the way your lashes flutter and your eyes roll back.

The greatest part of all is the cry you let out. "Yes, Dodge, God, yes, yes, yes!" It's blasphemous, the way you worship both him and the Lord in one breath.

He works you through it diligently. Not a drop goes to waste, and he's still moaning against you when your own whimpers die down. When he's fully sated and some of the trembling in your body has subsided, a firm kiss is placed against your inner thigh before he rises back up your body to tuck your hair behind your ear.

All you can manage is a dopey smile, and he grins crookedly. "Worth it?"

"I think so," you say breathlessly.

When you drop to your knees by your bed that night, Rosary beads threaded through your fingers and head bowed, you apologise profusely. But you haven't been smote down yet, maybe you'll be okay.

... Maybe.

It becomes a bit of a routine after that. Whether it's in his truck with your leg hitched up on the dashboard or when he has the house alone, Dodge just can't get enough of eating you out. And every time, you go back to pretending it never happened. You're still daddy's little angel.

There's a pleasant buzz running through your body as Dodge tugs your underwear back up for you, looking just as smug as ever. Dimpled smile, chin still slick with your wetness, as he eases your skirt back down for you. One would think it'd get less intense over time... but God, he has your toes curling and legs trembling each time his mouth descends on your cunt.

"Y'know," he starts, sitting up on his knees and giving your dishevelled state an approving once-over. "I think I might go a lil' insane if I don't get some attention of my own."

It's enough to give you pause. Fair enough—he's spent the last few weeks nestled between your folds and never once asked you to return the favour. But you've never touched a man like that before.

He catches your hesitation. Reaches out to thumb at your cheek, gaze softening a little. "Ain't gotta do nothing, sweetheart. But the blue balls are killin' me."

Blue balls. You almost roll your eyes. "So... what, then?" You ask, shifting to sit up as your fingers curling into the soft fabric in your lap.

He doesn't reply right away. Tilts his head, gauges your expression. "Can I show you? Won't take much. You ain't gotta touch me or nothin'."

Don't even have to touch him... you cast a cursory glance to his door, even though there's nobody home. Your lip is already bitten raw from stifling sounds all evening, but you're back to biting at it.

"Okay."

"Okay?" His eyes light up. He leans forward, a hand braced on your knee. "You sure?"

"Doesn't count if there's no penetration," you parrot the words he told you weeks ago. He smiles. "And... you said I don't have to do anything, right? Bit of watchin' can't hurt."

"Just lookin'," he affirms. For now, anyways.

His hand leaves your thigh to undo the buckle of his jeans, and your eyes follow the movement. There's a lump in your throat and you know you're going to be repenting for this one tonight. Maybe it's time to find some other church to confess at. Certainly not your father's, but you need to get this off your chest somewhere.

His jeans are pulled open, the tension easing off the bulge that seems to be straining there every time he gets his mouth on you. It doesn't take much for his cock to be freed, jeans and boxers down just enough to put him on display.

You swallow. You're definitely going to Hell.

You've seen pictures of them in passing. Dicks, cocks, penises. Whatever vile name the youth has come up with these days. The kind of pictures shared between a few girls at a sleepover, or a cock shown during a movie your father wouldn't approve of you watching. You've never been close enough to see one like this, though. Aching and leaking under the weight of your darkened eyes.

He takes note of your expression. The lust mixing with guilt.

"A little different in person, huh? No camera lenses?" He teases.

"Dodge, shut up. Just... just get on with it, please."

He rolls his eyes but obliges. Can't have you suddenly changing your mind because he gets a bit too cheeky. A firm hand wraps around him, and he begins to stroke himself. Slowly at first, watching the way your lips are parted and the breaths you take seem sharper. The quick rise and fall of your chest doesn't go unnoticed to him.

Feels real fuckin' good to be watched, though. Each jerk of his palm smears pre-cum down his throbbing length, the slick slide obscenely loud in the quiet of his bedroom. A low moan escapes him. Rough, completely unrestrained, so loud it almost makes you jump.

Your gaze snaps up to his face to watch the way his brow pinches with pleasure. You've never seen him like this—is this how you look when he's between your legs? The thought makes you flush. God. He's pretty like this, head tilted back and eyes half-lidded as he watches you absorb every second of his pleasure like it's your own. It's beautiful. It's wonderful. Breath-taking, staggering, perfect—

Sacrilege. Blasphemous. Impious.

You swallow thickly, but you can't take your eyes away.

"You, uh, sure you don't wanna get in on this?" He asks, his voice rough in a way you've never heard before. You find your thighs clenching again as you look back down to the filthy way he's started to fuck up into his fist.

"Dodge."

"What?" He asks innocently, a breathy note to his words. "I'll let you in, sweetheart. Just a little touch. Wouldn't have to do nothin'. Let me do all the heavy-liftin', eh?"

You shouldn't. You've done enough sinning for a lifetime over the last few weeks. Cried yourself to sleep a few times, too. And yet you go against every value that's been instilled with you for years to just touch.

A tentative little brush of your fingers against the underside. It's careful, hesitant and soft. His breath grows ragged. "That ain't so bad, is it?"

You shake your head. "And the... the white stuff. That's a good thing, right?"

"Real good," he laughs. He can feel himself tensing up; you aren't doing much to help, not physically, but with the pressure of his own hand and the way your eyes are on him... Lord, he won't be lasting much longer.

There's a pretty pink flush to his cheeks now. Eyelashes fluttering with each heavy breath, and the way his neck is exposed is giving you the strangest desire to lean in and kiss it. Bruise it, even. Your eyes avert guiltily, hand back in the safety of your lap.

"No, no, no. C'mon. Eyes on me."

"I can't, this is—"

"Please," he rasps. The hint of desperation catches you by surprise. "Want you to see it happen."

Heavenly father, please forgive me. Your eyes are on him again, watching the way his hips lift off the bed. It creaks with each movement, each glide of his hand down his cock. And that little flicker of scrupulosity in your eyes is what sends him over the edge.

"Fuck, yeah, I'm gonna— ah, ah, ah—" His cock pulses, white ropes coating his hand and the hem of his shirt. Face contorted in pleasure, eyes screwed shut as he makes a sound you've never heard from him before.

A whine.

You shuffle back a little—disgusted or intrigued by the sight of the cum spilling out of him, you aren't sure. But you're completely enraptured by the look on his face and the gasps that escape his parted lips. The only sound in the room for a few moments is his heavy breathing as he strokes lazily through the last of his orgasm, pleasure still buzzing faintly through him.

And when your eyes finally meet, you both laugh. Dodge's is hoarse. Yours is a little tentative. And then your sides are shaking and eyes twinkling. God, you can't believe that just happened.

"That's never happening again," you tell him. He grins, like he knows you're lying.

You are. You do it again. And again, until you're bold enough to be the one doing the stroking. It's only a matter of time before his little no penetration excuse goes out the window.

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anto-pops · 2 months ago

Text

Just a Taste - Sylus x Female!Reader

Summary: From the moment you’d set foot in his residence in the N109 Zone, Sylus had been suffering. Being around you always tested his restraint and control, but with the new addition of The Spatium Core’s energy thrumming through your veins, he was struggling to hold himself back. His self-disciple crumbles little by little, until finally his need to devour you in more ways than one takes over.

After you realize what’s been afflicting him in the wake of escaping the collision chamber, you decide to let him indulge his unquenchable thirst for you.

Alternatively summarized as Sylus progressively losing his mind over how delicious you smell during the Zoion Hunt, which is then followed by desperate, animalistic sex.

Word Count: 11.2k

Warnings: 18+, canon typical violence, blood/injury, explicit sexual content, animalistic behavior, obsessive behavior, size difference, rough sex

New Sylus oneshot is also up on Ao3 (with more specific tags)

Sylus saw red as the metallic tang of your blood filled the decrepit room. Figuratively and literally.

The withered hag was looking up at you with warring looks of regret and determination, her wrinkled, trembling hands wrapped tight around the handle of a smooth knife. It was so quiet that he could hear the steady drip, drip, drip of your blood hitting the floor, and for a few tense seconds, he could only watch the scene unfolding before him.

You, on the other hand, looked shocked. Part of him wanted to berate you for your naivety; in the N109 Zone, you couldn’t let your guard down around anyone. Not even feeble old women hiding out in abandoned buildings. But just as Sylus’ nature was to shoot first and ask questions later, yours was always to leap to the defense of the defenseless.

The fact that the old crone hadn’t been defenseless in this case was simply a… miscalculation.

Sylus’ less than stellar opinion of the old woman only worsened when she wrenched the knife free from your abdomen, your choked gasp breaking him out of his momentary stupor. “I– I didn’t mean to… I was trying to kill the Wanderer… you’re the one who got in the way!”

If he didn’t know any better, he would say the wench was lying. But the way her voice shook and her time-worn heart kicked up in her chest told him otherwise; she really was just a pitiful fool who had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Zoion Hunt didn’t wait for the ordinary denizens of the Charon District to clear out before beginning. That the crone was still alive was a miracle in and of itself.

The knife fell from the woman’s hands as she backed up a step, at which point Sylus advanced forward. His imposing figure closing in sent the old woman scurrying for the front doors of the building, not once looking back to check if he was following her. As much as he wanted to physically rend her soul from her body, he had more important things to worry about.

Namely, you.

Your shallow intakes of breath were laced with pain, and as you attempted to stand straight to brace your hand on the shelf in front of you, your knees buckled. Sylus was there in a flash– catching you in his arms before you could hit the floor– and the sight of you suffering made him reconsider annihilating the culprit responsible. A tendril of blackish-red mist materialized behind the Onychinus leader as he willed it towards the fleeing woman, but your weak grip on his bicep tightened a fraction and stopped him.

“It’s not worth it,” you gritted through your teeth. Jerking your chin at the first-aid cabinet mounted to the wall, you managed to wheeze, “I need to take care of this before anything else.”

Sylus didn’t wait for you to protest; he supported the brunt of your weight and began walking you over to the ratty couch in the lobby of the building, all too amused by your attempts at digging your heels into the ground. Did you really think he would let you meander around with a gaping knife wound in your side? Please.

“Sylus, I can handle it, it’s not that bad– hey!”

As amusing as your independence was, now wasn’t the time for you to argue. Using his Evol, Sylus whisked you into the air by your arms, taking exceptional care to move you gently onto the sofa. He situated you across his lap, then extended his power over to the cabinet to fetch the first-aid kit. It landed beside him shortly thereafter– but since you were evidently unwilling to be outdone by him, you stubbornly snatched it and began thumbing at the latch.

After three failed attempts at opening it, Sylus sighed and shook his head. “You’ll break it if you keep doing that.”

“Whatever…”

“No need to show me your claws, kitten,” he mused with a smirk, sliding the kit out of your reach so he could take over. “You can save that for any more old ladies lurking around in the shadows.”

The huff of humorless laughter you let loose was strained thanks to the gaping wound in your side, so Sylus diligently got to work treating it. His movements were cautious and methodical– soft enough that you didn’t flinch or hiss– and after roughly three minutes of wiping away the blood, he moved to set down the ruddy cotton pads.

He froze, however, when he picked up on the scent that intermingled with your blood. It was power; raw, undiluted, and ever so alluring. That Aether Core you had absorbed had changed you on a molecular level, and from the moment you had walked into his house the day prior, Sylus had been doing his damndest to ignore the way it called to him. It was too tempting– too enchanting– and the effect it was having on him bordered on dangerous.

He was always in control of himself, but this? This was… uncharted territory.

Swallowing thickly, he was quick to toss the soiled cotton towards the edge of the couch and focus on plucking up the bottle of saline solution. He wasn’t nearly as mindful as he dumped a good amount over the fleshy bit of your skin, and Sylus noticed your brows draw together as you silently endured the stinging pain. Your eyes remained fixed on the ceiling all the while, which he couldn’t help but feel proud about.

You were a resilient little thing. You always had been, and he didn’t think you would ever stop impressing him. “Are you counting how many cables are up there?”

You shushed him lightly, drumming your fingers against his thigh. “Don’t interrupt me… I only got to twenty-seven.”

His smile was tight as he grabbed a roll of gauze from the box of medical supplies, the smell of your wound making rational thinking precariously difficult. It wasn’t your blood specifically that was giving him a hard time. Mostly it was the dissolved energy of the Spatium Core that resided within it now. It was unbelievably potent, and Sylus decided then and there that if you got injured again, he probably would let you handle it yourself.

He couldn’t begin to imagine what prolonged exposure to such a tantalizing aroma might do to him.

—

“Name your price. If I can afford it, then we have a deal.”

Sylus really wished you hadn’t said that. On one hand, the delivery of the comment back in the abandoned building had been lighthearted. A jest made in the midst of the total pandemonium that came with the Zoion Hunt. He always found the ease with which you adapted to stressful situations to be rather remarkable, and more often than not, your candor was amusing.

But every measured, controlled breath Sylus drew into his lungs was laced with your fragrant scent, and he was having a difficult time finding much of anything amusing at present. A repressed part of himself that he kept under lock and key when he was around you was quickly manifesting at the forefront of his mind against his will. Since he was currently trying to shake off the pursuers giving chase behind his stolen car, now really wasn’t the time for him to lose his inhibitions.

The lingering, phantom feeling of your forearm pinning itself to his throat was almost enough to distract him from the task at hand, but Sylus managed to keep his eyes trained on the road ahead as you leveled your gun out the window and fired off a quick succession of shots. You were pressed so close to him that the hair at the top of your head tickled his nose, his nostrils flaring as he inhaled another whiff of the potent, delicious Aether Core you had absorbed.

That was the only payment he could see fit to take from you. That was the only thing the beast within him yearned for.

But you were right about one thing; Sylus did want you to get stronger. As addictive as the Aether Core’s energy was, it suited you in a way that made his head fucking spin. He would never take it from you– would never dream of rending your soul from within you– but he couldn’t help but entertain the idea of a small taste.

If your blood and body as a whole emitted the alluring scent so easily, would the rest of you be the same? A choked laugh bubbled up in his throat, but thankfully it came out sounding more like a scoff.

The row of fluorescent lights lining the inside of the tunnel the two of you found yourselves traveling through whizzed by at rapid speed, creating something of a strobing effect as Sylus narrowed his eyes and pushed the Slyvernos to its limits. He was already putting the car through its paces– and he was none too pleased with the array of bullet holes that now decorated it– but there would be time to mourn the damage later. The EVER assailants recklessly pulled up alongside him, and Sylus heard you swear under your breath when your gun clicked harmlessly. It was a bold move that only served to brutalize the rare car further, but to buy you some time to reload, he swerved sideways to ram against the vehicle full of attackers.

Your hands slapped around blindly for the spare magazine near the center console, but the Onychinus leader beat you to the punch. He swiftly plucked it up from within the cup holder, pinching it between two fingers so you could eject the spent clip from your gun before sliding the new one in. “Need a change of perspective?”

Your brows furrowed at him questioningly, your flushed cheeks conveying your bewilderment well enough, so Sylus jerked his chin up towards the ceiling of the car at the same time he slammed his fist into the button that controlled the sunroof. The glass panel began to slide open, and without any hesitation, you sat up to hoist yourself through it. Watching you fight had no right to be so arousing, he thought to himself.

Sylus damn near crashed the fucking car when you perched your knee on his shoulder, though.

“I’m charging extra for this,” you purred coyly, the toned length of your thigh on full display in his periphery. The wickedly short skirt the Association had the gall to call a uniform was going to be the death of him, he realized.

Instinctively, Sylus wrapped his right arm around your leg to stabilize you, pressing your thigh against the side of his head as he took to steering with one hand. Shots rang out overhead as you unleashed an unforgiving attack with your twin pistols, the sound of tires screeching and glass shattering echoing throughout the tunnel. Sylus did his best to keep the car moving straight so you weren’t at risk of flying out of the sunroof, but you still found yourself leaning heavily into him. The smokey scent of gunpowder and car exhaust wasn’t strong enough to mask the smell of you– and between the Spatium Core you had absorbed and the natural sweetness you exuded, Sylus was quickly coming undone by your bewitching aroma.

The car remained steady as he dug his fingers into the bare skin of your thigh, turning his head ever so slightly so he could sigh hotly against your leg. Nails and teeth scraped against your flesh– the primal urge to bite taking root– but he refrained as he reminded himself where the two of you were. His cock twitched in his pants at the unique form of torture he was currently being subjected to.

An explosion shook the entirety of the tunnel, sending you diving for cover within the sanctity of the car once more. The animalistic fog that had been creeping into the edges of his vision vanished, but the mounting pressure between his legs persisted. Your windblown hair and dazzling smile made sure of that.

“Look at us,” you remarked proudly, holding up your fist to bump against his. “Sometimes I forget what a great team we make.”

Sylus shook his head and laughed, grinning smugly to himself as he took in your delectably unkempt appearance. “Then perhaps I should endeavor to remind you more often, sweetie.”

Your reply was interrupted by a bullet piercing through the back windshield, flying directly over your touching hands far too close for comfort. Sylus heard you gasp in alarm, but he only glared into the rearview mirror and whipped out his own sidearm. “Someone’s eager to die…”

It was your turn to gape at him as he threw open the driver’s side door and leaned out, firing off a few shots before his body transformed into a wraith-like mist that carried him on top of the assailant’s car. Sylus made short work of the enemy before returning to his place behind the wheel, complimenting your improvised driving as he picked up your forgotten milk tea from the cup holder.

Despite the utter chaos you found yourself fighting through, you smiled at him and wrapped your lips around the straw in a way that was way too sensual to be excused as an accident. Sylus narrowed his eyes as he watched your throat bob around a sip, and then you smacked your lips appreciatively. “Yummy. Has anyone ever told you that your driving stability needs some work?”

Grunting noncommittally, the silver haired man decided to focus his attention on the road ahead. If he didn’t, the discomfort between his legs would quickly teeter on the brink of becoming painful. “Any suggestions I don’t consider are filed under ‘never heard of it’. Besides, you managed well enough. You didn’t fall out of the car, did you?”

“Maybe because someone decided to hold me in place with his teeth.” Sylus pursed his lips guardedly, watching through the corner of his eye as you grazed your fingers over the spot he had nearly bitten down on. “Desperate times call for desperate measures, I guess.”

Desperate times, huh? That was a phrase for it. Sylus could only hope that his restraint lasted until the two of you saw your insane plan through to the end. Until then, he wasn’t particularly keen on losing control of himself and acting like a deranged lunatic.

Smothering his internal desires around you was difficult enough without the evidence of a powerful Aether Core intermingling with your natural scent.

—

By the time the car had come to a screeching halt within the epicenter of Charon, you had nearly finished your milk tea. Your contented sighs and lip smacking had done sorely little to quell the growing hunger in Sylus’ gut– his cravings for both the Spatium Core and you making his head feel heavy. It was a nuisance for him to feel so out of sorts. Ordinarily, he was the picture of confidence around you.

But that Aether Core you had absorbed was messing with his mind and his morals. The smell was driving him ballistic within the confines of the tiny Slyvernos. He yearned to taste it for himself, and part of him was all too willing to throw caution to the wind and indulge his craving here and now.

You hadn’t seemed to pick up on his rigidity, however, so Sylus prayed to the Gods that had forsaken him long ago to keep you oblivious to his inner turmoil. Either they had heard his pleas or you were actually just too comfortable to notice, because you kept your eyes trained out the window as you scanned your surroundings with your lips wrapped around that damn straw.

It was hard to tell given how trashed the entire area was, but your eyes landed on what could have once been a bakery. The windows were smashed– broken wood and bullet holes covering every inch of the scorched interior. Sylus had no idea what you were thinking, and the only sound that came from you was a loud, bubbling slurp as you polished off your drink.

“You didn’t actually go for a joy ride earlier, did you?” You muttered the question evenly, breaking the silence that filled the car. “I mean, it’s a total war zone out there. Where could you have gone?”

“I just grabbed a bite to eat,” he replied vaguely, but the teasing way he delivered the remark was telling enough. You turned to stare at him curiously, your jaw moving slowly as you chewed up a tapioca pearl, then narrowed your eyes.

You jerked your thumb over your shoulder in the direction of the dilapidated bakery. “Where the hell did you manage to find a place still serving food in the middle of the Zoion Hunt? I’d be surprised if anything in Charon is left standing after this.”

The aroma of your newly absorbed Aether Core greeted his nostrils for the nth time today, and Sylus did his best to appear nonchalant in the face of the brutal torment. His crimson eyes fixed themselves on you pointedly as he explained, “I couldn’t get what I actually wanted, so I had to settle for the next best thing.”

He watched the cogs in your mind spin and click into place as you processed his flippant confession. You looked back outside at the wasteland surrounding the beat up vehicle, taking in the unnaturally quiet streets. There were no Hunt participants in this part of the district at the moment, nor were there any other threats looming around in the shadows. Sylus had made sure of that.

Aside from not wanting you to run into any unnecessary trouble earlier, he’d been in desperate need of staving off his hunger for you. His efforts weren’t doing him any good at present, though. If anything, it had only made things worse. The meager Wanderers he had dealt with were nowhere near as appetizing as you were.

“Ah, I was wondering why my job seemed so easy earlier…” Instead of disgust or fear appearing on your face, Sylus was pleasantly surprised when you quirked a brow at him playfully. “So, how were the Wanderers? Delicious? Finger-licking good?”

The question made him scowl. Thinking about the sour, earthy taste of the pitiful Protocores he had absorbed was hardly something he recalled with any fondness. Especially not when he was currently seated next to the most delectable soul to grace the planet. Sylus watched as you failed to fight your knowing grin, and the frown tugging at his lips deepened. “They were so unpalatable that it’s not even funny.”

“Aw,” you drawled mockingly, shaking your empty cup of milk tea in his face. “Poor little Sylus couldn’t get a tasty treat. I don’t know how I never realized it before, but you’re kind of a picky eater, aren’t you?”

“I have my preferences,” he conceded with a casual wave of his hand. Huffing out a laugh, you polished off the last few drops of your drink before sticking the empty container in the cup holder, then double checked your pistols with professional diligence. All the while, Sylus’ right eye flared to life– the Aether Core he possessed zeroing in on the power coursing through your veins.

The biggest, baddest Wanderer in existence could fall gift wrapped at his feet, and still Sylus knew that he only had his sights set on one thing. There was only one, singular entity in this entire cursed world that he hoped to sink his teeth into.

She just so happened to be sitting right beside him, none the wiser to his growing appetite for her.

—

It didn’t surprise you in the slightest that you were starting to remember everything. After all, it had been your great idea to head into Charon in search of answers. There was exposure therapy, and then there was imitating a traumatic moment from someone’s past and making them live through it a second time. Dimitri trapping you in the collision chamber hadn’t brought back your memories so much as it had smothered you with them.

Sylus knew it would take time for you to sift through it all, and he vowed to do everything within his power to offer clarity when it was needed. Now was one of those moments as he listened to you recount the hazy memory of the two of you fighting for your lives in the interstellar arena. It all seemed like a distant, fictional dream to you, but Sylus’ bitter expression intensifying as you spoke told you that what you had seen was true. What did he remember from your shared past? Would he tell you if you asked?

Now wasn’t the time, though. He looked upset in the wake of hearing about the two of you being made to fight to the death as children, so you wisely cut the discussion short by gingerly placing your hand against his cheek.

“We’re pretty special, huh?”

Entering his space so suddenly seemed to overwhelm Sylus’ senses. His head instinctively leaned into your touch in a bid to chase the feeling, his nostrils flaring briefly before his eyes darkened. It was a curious reaction, made even more so when his gaze fell to your throat.

“You are,” he murmured gruffly. The arm he had wrapped around your waist tightened a fraction, pulling you closer so that your chest was flush to his. It had never escaped your notice that ever since you’d met Sylus, you somehow fit him like a glove. The soft parts of you meshed perfectly with the harder parts of him. He was the missing piece of your soul that slotted into place with stunning ease– as if some inherent sliver of your consciousness knew you belonged with him.

You knew he would never make that choice for you, though. Sylus had always patiently waited for you to come to him on your terms, and even if he wanted more like you assumed he did, he would never force the issue. It was a heartwarming quality of his that just endeared you to him more.

“You’ve always been there.” Your wispy voice drew his attention away from your neck, and you felt his heart stumble through your touching chests when you swept your thumb affectionately over his cheekbone. “Back then before I came to the Research Center, and then afterwards when you helped me escape. You stayed here all this time because of me, didn’t you?”

“I see modesty is still a foreign concept to you,” he teased. But his husky tone betrayed just how true your accusation was.

“Modesty, manners, poise– I never have to worry about those things when I’m with you. You’re Sylus. When we’re together, I can just be myself.”

“So you’re implying that I condone naughty kittens who kick me under the table and steal my belongings?” Sylus dexterously reached up to the other hand you had braced against his shoulder, plucking the biometric key from the Research Center out of your loose grip and waggling it in your face for emphasis. “You’re awfully comfortable misbehaving around me. I don’t know if I should be proud or offended.”

You rolled your eyes before unconsciously glancing at his mouth, and Sylus’ small smirk evaporated like smoke. The look on his face was positively, utterly, undeniably hungry. Your half-lidded eyes and wine-flushed cheeks seemed to nullify his higher brain power, and when your lips parted around a soft exhale, Sylus swallowed thickly. The ravenous glint in his eyes reminded you of how he had looked in the car earlier after almost biting you.

You were grossly curious to discover what he was thinking. What did he want?

Sylus was an expert at goading people into sating their more selfish desires. But now, faced with the prospect of indulging his own? He seemed indecisive. It was almost like he was afraid to find out what came next for the two of you, and you already knew he wouldn’t dare to toe the line and run the risk of crossing your boundaries.

So, you decided to take the initiative.

It felt like time was moving in slow motion as you gingerly rested your forehead against his. You could see every streak of color in his irises and the subtle way his pupils dilated. You could see the rosy hue on his cheeks– left over from either the wine or put there because of you. Most prudent of all were the innermost thoughts you could practically see reflected in his eyes. While you didn’t have power like his that clued you in on a person’s desires, Sylus depicted his plainly on his face.

When your lips captured his, there was no resistance. Instantly you melted into him, your entire body going slack as relief and desire twined together in your very soul. You moaned into the kiss, your arms coiling around the back of his neck so you could get closer, and Sylus swallowed up the tiny sound greedily. His hands delved under your shirt, raking up the length of your spine as he eagerly drank in the feeling of your smooth skin beneath his palms, and when his nails scratched lightly at the areas beneath your shoulder blades, you hissed softly and arched into him.

Pulling back to pant against his lips, the expression on your face was one that sealed his fate. “Sylus…”

He was gone.

Sylus dove back in too fast for you to track, and your startled gasp was smothered by his tongue sweeping through your mouth. The taste of him– God– it was stronger than any aphrodisiac and more powerful than any weapon. It was intoxicating. The fervor with which he kissed you led you to believe that he couldn’t get enough, and you were inclined to agree. You wanted more, and you hoped against all odds that Sylus felt similarly.

His body moved of its own accord as he stood from his chair, leaving one arm wrapped around your waist while the other gripped the underside of your ass. Relieved that he was on the same page as you, you quickly hooked your ankles together around his narrow hips– squeezing him so tight that an animalistic sound reverberated from deep within his chest. He broke away from the kiss at the same time he started for the staircase, grinning sanctimoniously when he caught sight of the dazed expression you bore.

“I like that look on your face, kitten,” Sylus rumbled. The hand on your back slid up to your neck, pressing your head against his shoulder so your throat was within reach of his lips. He had been fixated on that spot from the moment you’d woken up earlier– constantly glancing at it while wetting his lips– and you felt arousal pooling in your gut when he finally made contact with it. He peppered light kisses against your thundering pulse, nipping softly at your skin as he began his ascent to the upstairs bedroom, and you mewled all the while. “What other faces can you show me?”

“All sorts,” your airy voice set the man’s blood alight in his veins, and Sylus tightened his hold on you as he moved faster up the steps. “What do you want, Sylus?”

“All of you.”

Your fingers dug into his back in response, and the next thing you knew, he was kicking open the door to his bedroom. The familiar sight of his private space created a new sense of urgency that drove him forward quicker– wisps of his Evol darting out behind him to shut the door so he wouldn’t have to waste time on such a trivial task. After all, he had more important matters to attend to.

The instant your back hit the mattress, Sylus’ lips were on yours again. His hands were demanding as he trailed them under your shirt, cupping your breasts and kneading the mounds with dizzying possession. He groaned when you released his neck to yank insistently at his belt, pulling his hips against yours with force that spoke volumes of your true strength.

Like him, you were powerful. You were sure of yourself and never hesitated to use the tools at your disposal to get what you wanted, and Sylus chuckled darkly as he took note of the needy glint in your eyes.

“You’re a force of nature,” he found himself saying once he had pulled away to haul your shirt over your head. Your hair fanned out around you like a halo when you settled back against the bed, and Sylus obeyed his body’s desire to briefly card through the soft strands. “You’re capable of so much more than you know, and I can’t wait to see what you’ll do next.”

Sylus snuck his Evol under your sides to release the hooks of your bra, taking care to remove that article of clothing with more finesse than he had with your top. The cool air of the bedroom had your nipples hardening before his very eyes, and as though he was spurred forward by an inaudible siren’s song, Sylus ducked down to latch his lips around one of the peaks. He rolled the bud between his teeth, laving his tongue over it a heartbeat later, and he was rewarded with the sound of your moans ricocheting off the walls of the room.

It felt sublime. His hands, his mouth, his strength– all of it being dedicated solely to you was amplifying the lust coursing through your veins.

“Y-You’ll be there to pull me back from the edge, right?” You raked your fingers through the shorter strands of hair at the nape of his neck, prompting him to fix those burning red eyes on you through his lashes. “Like before? I don’t want to lose control.”

Sylus smirked before burying his face between your breasts, licking and mouthing his way up your sternum on his way back to your lips. The kiss seared you from the inside out, and your wanton moan of pleasure made him shudder and shift his hips. Evidently he was as wound up as you were. “Always,” he murmured into your mouth. “I’ll help you get used to wielding devastating power. It’s something of a speciality of mine.”

Instead of voicing your appreciation, you opted to coil your mischievous fingers under the hem of his shirt, pulling the material up enough to expose the muscled expanse of his stomach. Ever the courteous gentleman, Sylus obliged your silent demand and sat back on his haunches to rip the attire off and discard it to the floor. His belt went next, and he got as far as unzipping his pants to offer himself some reprieve before pausing and narrowing his eyes at your skirt.

Surely he wasn’t going to strip you bare and leave himself clothed, right?

“Hey, that’s not fai– ah!” Your objection was silenced by Sylus hauling your skirt down your legs in one swift motion. The bottom half of your Hunter uniform was haphazardly thrown over his shoulder as though he found it somehow offensive, and then his long, skillful fingers were ghosting over the wet spot saturating your panties. Something akin to a growl sounded at the back of his throat when he got close enough to scent you, and it took every ounce of self-control you possessed not to visibly shudder.

He looked gluttonous. You found it hard to believe that your dampening sex could singlehandedly put a look like that on his face. Moreover, there was a manic glint in his eyes that had you regarding him with faint concern.

His control was still there, if only barely.

Sylus seemed to force himself to take his time lifting your underwear to the side, his hands shaking with restraint in a way that proved your assumption that he was losing his damn mind. A strand of moisture stretched between the fabric and your glistening folds, the palpable heat emanating from you prompting the Onychinus leader to inhale deeply. Whether it was to smell you again or to calm himself down, you didn’t know, but it didn’t seem to quell the fire burning in his eyes.

Sylus, on the other hand, wanted to cover the entirety of your cunt with his mouth and drink up every last drop of your arousal. He wanted to plunge his tongue so deep inside of you that his jaw would ache and the taste of you would be seared into his memory for the rest of his life. He wanted to hear you crying out his name over and over again like a prayer, your every thought revolving around him and him alone as he gave you over two decades worth of pent-up, carnal pleasure.

Sylus wanted everything you had to offer, and when he glanced up at you for your consent, he was met with a shaky dip of your chin.

“Y-You don’t have to,” you muttered shyly, feeling incredibly exposed on the receiving end of his bestial stare. Without your shirt in the way, you could see the flush staining your cheeks stretching down your neck to reach your chest, and the sight of you so thoroughly wound up almost made Sylus’ legs give out. God, he was actually losing it. You cleared your throat and shook the bewilderment from your mind as you nervously added, “I know some people don’t like doing… that.”

“In case you’ve forgotten, kitten, I’m not just anyone.” With newfound fervor, Sylus sensually slid your panties down your outstretched legs. He was quick to dispose of them over the side of the bed so his hands were free to stop you from clenching your knees together. That only served to make you whimper– a sound that seemed to please Sylus to no end. Gently, he pushed your legs apart and lowered himself onto his stomach, never once looking away from your lust-dark eyes as he made himself comfortable between your thighs. “I think I’ve made it clear that I have refined taste. If I don’t like something, I won’t eat it.”

Oh, God–

Without waiting for your reply, Sylus flattened his tongue against you to lick a broad, heavy stripe up your slit, collecting an obscene amount of your wetness on his tongue in one go. Your back arched off the bed when he lingered over your clit to apply cruel, addicting pressure there, and Sylus’ eyes fluttered shut at the thrill your potent taste imbued him with.

“S-Sylus,” you gasped breathlessly.

His hum of acknowledgement was the only sign he gave to confirm he’d heard you. He had only just started to sate his selfish cravings for you, and he had no plans to stop now. Brazenly and without restraint, Sylus covered the entirety of your cunt with his mouth, lapping and licking and sucking at whatever parts of you he came across. You were beyond soaked. The copious amounts of slick seeping from you created a symphony of sinful noises against his lips, and Sylus groaned unabashedly before hitching his knee up the bed to grind against the covers.

His self-control was slipping– escaping through his fingers like sand despite his best efforts– and the sight of him coming undone against you almost made you pass out. It was an unholy scene. Absolutely and without a shadow of a doubt the most immoral thing you had ever seen in your life, and you relished in it.

Your hands flew into his hair when he tongued over your clit again, your fingers clenching around fistfuls of the silvery locs so you could hold him in place. He almost laughed, and you were sure if he could speak, he would tell you that he had no intention of going anywhere. But even so, he let you force more of yourself into his mouth, his tongue delving inside your quivering walls at the same time his nose pressed against your clit.

“Oh, God, Sylus–” you cried out, unconsciously bucking your hips against his face. His crimson eyes cracked open to find your expression contorting into one of pure rapture, your bottom lip clenched bruisingly between your teeth. “Feels– feels so good.”

Sylus feasted upon you like a man starved. Your clit was trapped tight beneath his nose, the sensitive nub sliding and catching against the tip repetitively as he moved his jaw to dig deeper inside of you. If he were physically capable of reaching all the way to your heart, you knew he would. It was like he was trying to consume every inch of you– his groans of satisfaction deluding you into thinking that you tasted good. It was obvious he was deriving some kind of bizarre, personal pleasure from fusing his mouth to your cunt.

The intensity of his movements increased in the wake another throaty moan sounding from him, and before long, your own noises turned shakier and needier. Your wet, pulsing walls clenched hopelessly around his tongue, your climax looming before you temptingly, and Sylus’ fingers digging into your thighs told you that he was well aware of how close you were. Your pleasure was his pleasure, and he was all too eager to have you falling apart with his mouth sealed to your most intimate place.

His nails bit into your skin as he pressed more of himself against your cunt and began shifting his head from side to side. The action drew more moans and cries of his name from your lips, your legs quaking as the pressure mounting in your gut reached its peak, and Sylus let loose a shaky laugh. He knew he had you right where he wanted you.

“Sylus, I– I–” you stammered brainlessly, his ministrations persisting despite your writhing. “I can’t–”

His voice was ragged– all guttural as he pulled away just enough to utter, “You will.”

Your grip on his hair tightened so aggressively that it had to sting. Your shapely thighs on either side of his head suddenly squeezed together and smothered him completely– trapping him so fiercely that if you had any ability to dwell on it, you would worry about suffocating him. Sylus hardly seemed to mind as he groaned wantonly, your raspy cries of his name prompting his gaze to land on you once again. Through the lustful fog clouding your mind, you could see his control over himself diminishing into the abyss.

Only once he felt your muscles relax did Sylus release your legs and sit up, watching unblinkingly as your chest rose and fell with panted breaths. He drank in the sight of you greedily, licking the remnants of your arousal from his lips as something dark and possessive overtook his handsome features. It wasn’t until you noticed his right eye beginning to glow that you realized just how frantic Sylus actually was.

That was when it dawned on you. The Spatium Core. Sylus had been plainly affected by it from the moment you’d let yourself into his house days earlier. Knocking back liquor, his ceaseless comments about food and eating.

The fact that he had bitten you in the car.

The addition of the new Aether Core in your body was driving him to devour you– possibly in more ways than one.

Before you could sit up and question him about your hypothesis, his Evol lashed out with wicked precision. You were still relatively boneless against the bed– your legs about as sturdy as a newborn fawns– so when the cold, silky tendrils of his power wrapped around your waist to flip you over, you were unable to stop it. Your startled yelp was cut short when your face connected with the mattress, the duvet cover muffling your voice. By the time you had pushed yourself onto your elbows, Sylus was already straddling your legs from behind and raking his nails up your bare back.

His touch was domineering. The pressure from his fingers pressing into your spine stilled your movements, and you blearily looked at him from over your shoulder. “Sylus, how badly is the Spatium Core affecting you?”

“Bad,” he growled, sounding so far removed from himself that it made your stomach lurch. “It’s intoxicating. You were already ravishing enough on your own, but that extra energy… you’re irresistible, kitten.”

Shit. “Sylus, you can’t eat me. You don’t have my permission.”

Well, he couldn’t eat your soul. Other parts of you, though… you wouldn’t mind if he ate those again.

Sylus inhaled sharply through his nose, the incessant touching against your back halting as he warred with his own mind for the right thing to say. You weren’t afraid of him per se, but you were worried that he was losing himself to his hunger. If it came down to it, you would beat the sense back into him. He would thank you for it later down the line, and knowing Sylus, he would probably enjoy it.

“I have no intention of eating you in that regard, sweetie,” Sylus purred, running his palms up the curve of your spine so he could wrap his large, burning hands around your shoulders. The way he dwarfed you so completely had you rethinking your assumption that you could beat much of anything into him. Something about him in this state seemed stronger– albeit in a rash, uncontrollable way.

It had no right to be so arousing. The poor man was clearly suffering under the effects of some second-hand high thanks to your absorption of a second Aether Core. This was a delicate situation– you needed to think with your head, not your loins.

With his hands possessively curled over your shoulders, Sylus leaned in so he could bury his nose directly against your throat, sucking in a deep breath that made him shudder against you. His pants were still on, but that didn’t stop you from feeling the way his cock twitched against your lower back. “What… what are you feeling, exactly?”

“Too much,” he murmured vaguely, his warm breath fanning across your clammy skin. “I just know I want more of you. Your taste, your touch– I want to know if I can feel your power the same way I can smell it.”

Sylus moved his hands then, one skirting around your front to grip your chin, and the other delving lower to wrap around one of your breasts. The precarious position he had you in left you entirely at his mercy. There was no way for you to move and nowhere for you to go. That fact was emphasized heavily when the imposing man angled your face towards him, kissing you from over your shoulder while the hand against your breast took to toying with your nipple. You couldn’t stop the shaky sigh you expelled from your lungs in response to his touch, selfishly wanting more despite knowing that Sylus wasn’t necessarily in his right mind.

His mouth moved against yours with bruising strength, wringing tiny, breathless little noises from you as he drank his fill once more. When he pulled away with a gentle nip against your bottom lip, you had to dredge up the dwindling remnants of your willpower to ask, “Are you in any pain?”

“No.” He moved back so he could bite softly at your shoulder, more of his weight settling against the backs of your thighs. “Just… restless.”

“Should we stop?” The last thing you wanted was for Sylus to do anything he would lament over. Whatever strange rut he had fallen into wouldn’t last forever, and if you could spare him the humiliation of waking up later full of regret, you would. As badly as you wanted to keep going with him, you wouldn’t force him to do anything he didn’t want to.

That was only if he was coherent enough to refuse, though. There was nothing you could do if his baser urges had nullified his higher thinking completely. You didn’t think you could stop him from taking what he wanted from you.

In all honesty, you weren’t even sure if you wanted to stop him.

In the wake of your memories returning to you, your affections for the crime lord had grown out of control. How you had spent so much time without him by your side, you didn’t know, nor did you want to revisit that way of living.

“Do you want to stop?” Sylus’ voice was garbled– as if just proposing the counter-offer was difficult for him. He meant it, though. You knew that if you told him yes, he would find a way to back off and sequester himself away in a dark room for however long it took for his blood to cool. Even in the midst of dealing with what you could tangibly discern as a painful hard-on, Sylus would hit the brakes and make himself scarce– if that was what you wanted.

But you didn’t want that. Not in the slightest.

It had the potential to turn disastrous, but you swallowed around the growing lump in your throat and whispered, “No. I want this with you, Sylus. But only if you’re comfortable with it.”

You heard and felt his airy laugh against your shoulder, his lips curling into a wicked grin before he moved to perch his chin in the crook of your neck. The hand he held your face with tightened immeasurably further, and then he was angling your head to the side so he could return to his earlier task of scenting your throat. Around a rumbling growl, Sylus murmured, “I’m more than comfortable with it, sweetie. But you should know that I won’t hold back. Not after I’ve waited this long to have you.”

“Good,” you sighed when you felt his tongue dart out to lave against your pulse. “I don’t want you to hold back. Give me everything, Sylus. I want you.”

His reaction to your verbal consent was a physical thing. Sylus groaned and rocked his hips down into your lower body, his fingers digging sharply into your jaw and breast for a split second before letting you go. He had to climb off of you to shed his pants and his briefs– at which point you shamelessly watched from over your shoulder as the long, hard, throbbing length of him was fully revealed. You were so turned on– so unbelievably aroused by everything he had done and said up until now– that just the mere sight of his oozing length had heat building in your core once more. The precum pearling at the head of his cock glinted against the dim overhead lighting, and you found yourself unconsciously licking your lips.

“Can… can I taste you?”

Sylus froze– his hand still outstretched over the side of the bed where he had dropped his clothes. His pupils dilated so severely that only a sliver of red was showing, and his momentary shock was quickly masked with a conniving smirk. “You can do whatever you want, kitten.”

The low, silky tone he spoke with only worsened the ache between your thighs, but you ignored it in favor of scrambling onto your hands and knees so you could crawl over to him. He met you halfway on the mattress and sat back on his haunches– not quite kneeling and not quite standing– but his taller frame still loomed over you. Without giving yourself time to second guess your impulsive decision, you gripped his cock in your smaller hand and swiped your thumb over the swollen head, smearing around the whitish liquid so abruptly that Sylus hissed through his teeth.

You chanced a wary glance up at him out of fear that you had done something wrong, but his flushed cheeks and narrowed eyes painted a different picture. “Don’t stop now, kitten. I’m fine.”

With your confidence steadily growing, you kept your eyes on his, opened your mouth, and blindly guided him home. Not looking at what you were doing resulted in the wet, leaking tip sliding against your bottom lip, but your tongue darted out to lick up the mess before curling around the violently red head of Sylus’ insane length.

It was a strange flavor, though not altogether unpleasant. Salty– maybe even a little tangy– but the almost sweet aftertaste that graced your tastebuds prompted you to seal your lips around him and suck in search of more.

Above you, Sylus groaned at the stimulation. His hands appeared against your scalp to card through the pieces of your hair that had fallen into your face, and he helpfully pulled them back before wrapping his fingers around the strands. It wasn’t an overbearing grip in the slightest, but it did give him the control he needed to gently push your head down a little farther. “That’s it– keep doing that, kitten. It feels incredible.”

Spurred on by his praise, you hummed and took to working your hands over the parts of his cock you couldn’t fit in your mouth. The more you rubbed and licked him, the more his precum spread across your tongue. You didn’t taste anything like what he’d described your flavor as, but the way he groaned and twitched in your mouth did imbue you with a unique kind of power.

He was putty in your hands– completely at your mercy. The noises escaping him coupled with the way he twitched every time you pressed the flat of your tongue to the underside of his shaft was addicting in its own right.

The realization made you grow bolder, and in a desperate attempt to get more of a rise out of him, you sank down deeper and stuffed your mouth with as much of his length as you physically could. His hold on your hair tightened to the point where it started to sting, but you ignored the wordless warning and kept descending until you felt the head of his cock bump against the back of your throat.

“Shit– don’t– don’t force yourself, sweetie–”

What had he said before? About suggestions not worth considering? That they were filed under the ‘never heard of it’ category?

It seemed fitting to borrow that philosophy now.

You had to squeeze your eyes shut to fend off the threat of tears as you swallowed around his tip. The urge to pull off was strong, but your desire to bring Sylus to his knees was stronger. You held out for a few seconds, repeating the motion over and over and over until he was choking out gasps of your name. His head fell back at the same time a wanton groan ripped from his chest, and when you elected to voice your amusement in the form of another hum, Sylus’ hips twitched forward.

“Damn– unless you want this to end with me jammed down your throat, you’ll quit while you’re ahead.”

The fact that his words hardly registered as a threat should have scared you. It should have made you shiver and look up at him with pleading eyes, because the thought of his girth stretching your esophagus open was daunting and liable to end in serious discomfort. But for some unfathomable reason, it only amplified the arousal curling in your gut. You wanted him to use you for his pleasure– to push you to the base of his cock with his fingers buried in your hair. The imagery was vivid in your mind, and when you peered up at Sylus through your lashes, he was already staring at you.

And he saw your unspoken desires plain as day.

“Very naughty, kitten. You’re full of surprises,” he purred around a half-smirk, looking equal parts stunned and excited by your innermost thoughts. Just when you assumed he would indulge your fantasy, he was pulling you off of his cock by your hair in one fell swoop, saliva and precum stretching between your lips and his now glistening shaft. “Another time, maybe. As enticing as your mouth is, my plans don’t include cutting the fun short buried in your throat.”

Your sudden intake of breath was shaky and hoarse, and you had barely managed to catch your breath before Sylus was kissing you again. The force of his lips against yours aided him in pushing you down against the bed, one of his arms coiling around your waist to keep the movement controlled and steady. The moment your back was flush with the covers, Sylus pulled back to take in the full breadth of your appearance, his chest rising and falling rapidly as carnal hunger flickered across his face.

You had never been looked at like that before– like you were the most crucial thing Sylus had ever set eyes on. The sheer longing that rolled off of him in waves was making you dizzy, and instead of shielding yourself from his piercing gaze like modesty demanded, you let your hands fall above your head in an act of complete submission. “How do you want me?”

The way he visibly shuddered seemed to shake the very walls of the bedroom. His cock– arched, solid, and leaking all over itself– twitched in response to your brazen move. Sylus shot forward faster than you could track, caging you between his sculpted arms at the same time he used his knees to knock your legs apart. He wedged them under your ass, the position pushing your lower half off of the mattress as your legs naturally hitched over his thighs, and the angle allowed for the long, thick length of him to settle directly against your wet, messy folds.

“Just like this,” he growled huskily. “I want your eyes on me at all times. Think you can manage that, kitten?”

God. You would certainly try.

Sylus shifted his hips back so the red, swollen tip of his cock was pressed against your hole, and he stayed there with infuriating stillness long enough that you started to whimper. It was torture to feel him looming at your entrance– the pressure placed there acting as a promise and a threat– but you weren’t about to back out now. Not after the man above you had lit such a tumultuous fire in your veins.

Just before you had the chance to urge him forward out loud, Sylus was moving. He planted one hand on your hip while the other gripped your thigh, and then slowly– carefully– he was feeding his length into you. The initial stretch trapped your breath in your lungs, the mind-boggling size of him making you bite the inside of your cheek to stifle a choked groan, and Sylus’ eyes never wavered away from where you swallowed him up. It seemed to physically pain him to move so cautiously, but his hunger for you couldn’t overshadow his awareness of how tight you were, so he mercifully took his time.

Once he had fully bottomed out in your pulsing core, his hands tightened at the same time he growled. “Fuck, sweetie, you feel…”

“S’big,” you hissed, eyes narrowing at the ceiling before you remembered Sylus’ instructions. You looked back at him, nearly winded when you saw how flushed his cheeks were and how dramatically his chest heaved with the deep breaths he sucked down. “Y-You can move. Just… just be nice to me.”

Sylus needed no further encouragement. He leaned forward, keeping his one hand on your hip while the other began trailing up your torso. The calloused pad of his thumb brushed over your nipple, the stimulation making you gasp softly, and the man took that as his cue to begin moving. It was all slow, measured grinding at first– the thickness of his cock stretching you out more and more while his pelvis rubbed gently against your clit. It was perfect. It was exactly the sort of thing to help you acclimate further, and your hand blindly came to rest over the one Sylus had splayed over your breast.

“Show me how you like having them touched, kitten,” Sylus murmured huskily. He lifted his appendage from beneath yours to switch their positions, pressing your own palm to your chest to guide you. “How do you play with them when you’re alone? What do you like?”

Your vision was hazy as you blinked up at him, blood rushing into your cheeks at the sinful line of questioning. You were well past the point of being embarrassed, though. Slowly, as if your arms were weighed down by shackles, you answered him by ghosting your hand over your own flesh. Pinching your nipple, you rolled it lightly between your index finger and thumb, pulling at it delicately every so often until it hardened into a stiff bud. Every touch sent shockwaves of pleasure through your body that made you mewl, and it wasn’t until Sylus began withdrawing his hips slightly that you realized you weren’t nearly as tight around him anymore.

“That’s it,” he cooed in that deep, velvety voice of his. “Keep purring for me, kitten. You’re doing great.”

Sylus inched his cock back into you, the slide made all too easy thanks to the wetness seeping from your center. You continued to fondle your breast all the while, eventually deciding to give your other one the same treatment, and the sight of you shamelessly playing with yourself pulled a gravely moan from the crime lord.

It also prompted him to jerk his hips forward harder, punching the air from your lungs and causing your spine to arch off the bed. “Sylu– ah!”

The abrupt pressure against your insides was laced with toe-curling pleasure. Sylus had struck something perfectly when he’d moved– something that made your blood boil and caused your vision to flash white. He knew it, too. A wicked smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and after waiting a moment to ensure that you weren’t in any pain, he did it again.

Your hands flew away from your breasts to fist into the sheets, a hot spike of arousal shooting through your body as a gaudy moan ripped from your throat. The sound of your blood rushing in your ears couldn’t overshadow Sylus’ self-satisfied chuckle, and he leaned forward more until he was draped over you completely. The closer proximity forced your legs apart on either side of his waist, spreading you open so obscenely that if he chose to look down, he would see every inch of your wet, pulsing cunt with utmost clarity.

Red eyes bored down on you– Sylus’ handsome face only a few inches away from yours– and he flashed you a smirk that reminded you far too much of the one he had given you all those months ago when you’d snuck into his room.

It was conniving. Predatory.

Without breaking eye contact, he pulled his hips back before ramming them against your ass, his cock hitting you so deep and so precisely that you wailed his name. He struck that spongy spot with such accuracy and force that your mouth unconsciously fell open and stayed open, a litany of brainless noises spilling from your lips.

“I don’t know what’s better,” he grunted around another maddening plunge of his cock. “The way you taste, the way you feel, or the way you sound. You’re a vision, kitten– I can’t get enough of it.”

Unable to formulate a response, you were left entirely at Sylus’ mercy when he gripped your chin and angled your head to the side, mouthing hotly against your throat as he set a demanding pace. The power he exerted with each jerk of his hips would have driven you up the mattress if his weight wasn’t pinning you in place. All of it left you reeling– every last one of your senses overcome with Sylus.

The feeling of him made your skin blister with heat. The spicy, smokey scent of him made your mind go numb. The only part of him you could see at present was his broad, muscled shoulder flexing as his elbow dug into the bed to lend more vigor to his thrusts. The sounds he was making against your neck– fuck– they were guttural, feral, and sacrilegious. He was wholly and completely lost to the ecstasy your body granted him, and you knew then and there that you would forever be addicted to it.

A sudden, stinging pressure broke through the fog clouding your mind when he bit down on the curve of your shoulder. It was hard enough that you moaned– the sound equal parts pained and aroused– and Sylus abandoned his hold on your chin to slap around the bed blindly until he found your hand. Lacing his fingers with yours, he pinned the appendage beside your head, digging his nails into the back of your hand as a shudder rolled over him.

It was too much. You’d never been so turned on in your entire life.

“S-Sylus– Sylus, I’m–”

His tongue darted out to lave over the bite repetitively, leaving you to wonder if he’d actually broken the skin in his determined quest to taste the Spatium Core’s energy thrumming through your veins. He pulled back only slightly, just enough to mutter into the crook of your neck, “So good… you’re so good, kitten. Don’t hold back– use me.”

The tension mounting in your gut reached new heights in response to his demand. You were so close to the edge that you couldn’t think about anything else. All you cared to focus on was the way Sylus’ cock hammered into your sweet spot, the way he bit fervently at your flesh, the way his strong, powerful body moved over yours. It was a bestial display that would come back to haunt your dreams every night until you ceased to exist. Some primitive desire to merge your being with his came over you then, and you found yourself rolling your limp head sideways so you could seek out your target.

Sylus was too busy feasting on you to take notice, but when you leaned up to sink your teeth into the flushed patch of skin between his neck and shoulder, he bellowed– so loud and so fiercely that the coil in the pit of your stomach became painfully taut.

Every last one of his muscles tensed for a heartbeat. Then, with renewed stamina, he increased his pace impossibly further. He pounded into you with alarming speed, causing you to bite down on him harder as airy moans tumbled from your abused throat. You had to be delusional, because it felt like his cock had gotten bigger, the thickness of it threatening to split you open as he rutted frantically against you.

Unable to hold on any longer, your teeth fell away from his neck. “Sylus– ah!” Your voice tapered off into a breathless wheeze when he wound his free arm under your back, crushing you to his chest with proprietorial strength that kept you locked in place beneath him. You couldn’t move at all– could barely breath through the overwhelming tension that festered and grew in your lower gut. You were close, and you wanted to dive headfirst over the edge like your life depended on it.

“Please,” you croaked around hiccuping sobs. “Please, Sylus, please, please–”

He growled, then squeezed you to him so tightly that you could practically feel the outline of his cock spearing into you. Sylus gave you everything he had with unrelenting efficiency, crushing your hand against the bed as he all but bent you in half in his apparent pursuit to fuck the life out of you. You tried to rut back into his thrusts as your climax started to creep in, but you only succeeded in writhing against his chest, his hold on you so absolute that attempting to move was pointless.

It didn’t matter. As he pistoned his cock into you with speed that bordered on inhuman, you reached that blissful, alluring peak. You screamed Sylus’ name as pure rapture overtook your body, your cunt tightening around his length like a vice and forcing his thrusts to turn shallow as you sucked him in harshly.

“Fuck–” Sylus’ shaky exhale fanned across the column of your throat, and he pulled back to watch as you came undone against him, never once letting up the intensity of his movements. His positively luminescent red eyes scorched you all the way down to your very soul, and upon glimpsing your blissfully fucked-out face, he groaned, kissed you, and let himself follow you over the edge as he burrowed deep.

Your keening mewls were swallowed up by his mouth as he ground into you, pumping every last drop of his spend into your fluttering walls. It was a surreal feeling; hot and wet, accompanied by the squelching of moist skin rubbing against moist skin. You couldn’t help but sigh contentedly as you melted into a puddle of boneless limbs against the mattress, and after shakily grinding against you a few more times, Sylus let his full weight settle over you.

You gave him a few seconds to catch his breath, staring wide-eyed up at the ceiling from over his shoulder. After a while though, you wiggled fruitlessly. Not only was he ridiculously tall, but he was heavier than he looked. “Sylus, I can’t breathe.”

“Five minutes,” he murmured against your neck, then nestled his head deeper into your marred skin.

“You’ll crush me to death in five minutes,” you shoved at his shoulder as you groused. Unsurprisingly, you failed to move him, and he stubbornly stayed put. “You’re worse than a toddler, I swear…”

Adding further credibility to the remark, Sylus snaked his arms under the small of your back, hugging you closer to him as he shamelessly burrowed his face harder into the crevice of your neck. It was as if he was trying to fuse his body together with yours– he was never going to let you go at this rate. Rolling your eyes, you relented to his clingy behavior and wrapped your own arms around his torso. His back was slick with sweat, and as you took to lightly tracing shapes against his spine with your nails, you noticed that he was trembling slightly. “Are you feeling alright?”

Sylus hummed thoughtfully, brushing his lips against the tender spot beside your throat he had sunk his teeth into previously. “More than alright… but I will admit, I don’t think one taste was nearly enough to satisfy me. I could stand to whet my appetite with you again, and again, and again…”

You felt his tongue dart out to lave against your skin, and despite being physically and mentally exhausted after the events of the last few days, when arousal began to fester in your gut once more, you couldn’t help but welcome it. “Will there be anything left of me by the time you’re ‘full’?”

“Of course. You should know by now that I’m remarkably skilled at making good things last, kitten.” Sylus drew back to gaze down at you, the playful glint in his eyes speaking volumes of his intentions.

He wasn’t done with you– not by a longshot. But after a lifetime of waiting to find yourself back in his arms, you had no intention of denying yourself what you truly desired.

#love and deepspace #sylus #lads sylus #love and deepspace fanfic #love and deepspace fanfiction #sylus fanfic #sylus fanfiction #sylus smut #love and deepspace smut #sylus x mc #sylus x reader #sylus x you #sylus x female!reader #my writing #this is a long one I didn't realize how out of control it got until I was proofreading it earlier OOPSIES

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vanteguccir · 8 months ago

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ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤCAR CRASH * MATT STURNIOLO

SUMMARY　::　where an amazing date night leads to a devastating car accident, leaving Y/N severely injured and Matt hospitalized and feeling extremely guilt.

FEATURING　Matt Sturniolo x reader　REQUESTED?　yes.

WARNINGS　::　Car crash, blood, gore (nothing too extreme), mentions of surgery and death.

AUTHOR'S NOTE　::　that is my work, I DON'T authorize any form of plagiarism; copy, "inspiration" or translation! | english isn't my first language, so I'm sorry if there's any grammar error.

The night had been perfect. The kind of night that made Matt wish he could bottle up every second and live it over and over again. As they cruised down the road, Y/N’s laughter filled the car, bubbling up with a joy that made his heart swell. He stole a quick glance at her, unable to resist the smile tugging at his lips as he watched her eyes crinkle at the corners.

It was all almost too serene. The road was deserted, stretching ahead like a long, winding ribbon through the dense forest. Trees lined both sides, their dark silhouettes swaying gently in the cool breeze. The glow from the dashboard lights bathed Matt’s face in a soft blue hue, highlighting the way his jaw clenched whenever he concentrated on the road.

Matt’s hand rested gently on Y/N’s thigh, fingers intertwined with hers. The music in the background was just soft enough to allow their conversation to drift through the air. Their fingers were laced together like they had been for years, her thumb softly brushing over the back of his hand in a way that always sent a thrill through him.

"You know." Y/N started, turning to look at him with that familiar, teasing sparkle in her eyes. "I still can’t believe you almost choked on that dessert tonight."

He rolled his eyes, shaking his head.

"Hey, those strawberries were huge, okay? It’s not my fault they didn’t fit in my mouth." Matt chuckled, his voice low and slightly raspy as he lifted her hand to press a soft kiss to her knuckles.

"Sure, that’s what she said." She quipped, sending a playful wink towards the brunette.

His laughter echoed through the car, his eyes crinkling at the edges.

"Hey, babe, we should-"

But before he could finish his sentence, Y/N's heart jumped to her throat as she noticed something.

"Matt!" Y/N’s scream pierced the air like needles.

Matt’s heart seized, his veins flooded with pure adrenaline. The world seemed to slow down, the seconds stretching into infinity as he turned his eyes from Y/N to the approaching car. It was swerving uncontrollably, zigzagging across the two-lane road, headlights blinding and erratic.

Panic gripped him like a vice. His instincts kicked in, hands flying to the steering wheel as he yanked it to the right with all his strength, desperate to avoid a head-on collision. The tires screamed in protest, the smell of burning rubber filling the car as the vehicle veered off the asphalt, gravel spraying against the undercarriage like bullets.

The seatbelt bit into his chest, and Matt let out a guttural grunt as the force of the swerve tried to rip him sideways.

"Hold on!" He shouted, the words raw and choked with fear.

But there was no time to process, no time to think. In the chaos, Matt’s vision narrowed to a tunnel. He could barely make out the blur of trees and darkness as the car skidded off the road. The other car blazed past them, its horn blaring like a scream of rage, disappearing into the night as if it had never been there.

Matt’s heart hammered in his chest, every beat like a drum of dread. He tried to correct the car’s course, but it seemed to be impossible with the velocity of it, and the steering wheel slipped under his frantic grip. The headlights illuminated nothing but shadows and thick trees ahead, and before he could even register what was happening, the world exploded into chaos.

The impact was instant. The front of the car crumpled like a tin can as it collided with the tree, the force of the crash sending them both jolting forward. Y/N’s scream was cut short as her side of the car bore the brunt of the crash, the airbags exploding around them in a cloud of powder.

Everything went black.

　　　　　༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

A few seconds - or maybe minutes, Matt couldn’t tell - passed before he came to. The first thing he noticed was the sharp, metallic taste of blood in his mouth, his head throbbing like it was being split open. His vision was blurred, darkness and flashing colors swirling together as he tried to blink them away.

"Y/N..." He croaked, his voice barely a whisper. Panic seized his chest like a vice grip as he turned his head, trying to see her through the haze. "Y/N!"

She was slumped against her seat, her head tilted unnaturally to the side, blood smeared across her forehead where she’d hit the window.

"No, no, no, no!" Matt’s voice came out in a broken sob as he reached for her, his hands trembling violently. Pain shot through his ribs with every movement, but he ignored it, his vision blurred with tears. "Y/N! Wake up, please, wake up!"

But she didn’t move.

"C'mon, please. Please- fucking shit!"

He could barely breathe, his chest tightening as though an invisible hand was crushing his lungs. Warm blood trickled down his temple, but he barely noticed it. All he could focus on was Y/N, slumped lifelessly beside him.

"What do I do? What do I do?" His bloody hands flew to his head, smearing it all around his skin. "An ambulance, I need-need to call an ambulance."

His trembling fingers fumbled with his phone, hands slick with blood and sweat, and his vision blurred with tears. He couldn’t think straight; everything was a whirlpool of noise, pain, and terror. As he finally managed to dial 911, he searched for Y/N hand, squeezing the cold, unmoving member, his other hand shaking so hard it almost dropped the phone.

"911, what's your emergency?"

Matt could hardly get the words out, his throat so tight it felt like he was being strangled.

"We-we've been in an accident! Oh god, please- please help us! I... I don’t know what to do!"

His voice was a broken sob, the words tumbling out in a chaotic rush, barely coherent. He was gasping for breath, panic clawing at him with icy fingers. He kept glancing at Y/N, hoping, praying that she would suddenly move or blink or give any sign that she was okay. But she was too still, her face shining with blood, eyes closed, and her chest...

He couldn't even tell if it was moving.

"Okay, sir, I need you to try to stay calm. Where are you? Can you give me your location?"

Matt’s mind was spinning, the world around him a dark blur. He tried to remember where they were, but it was like every thought was slipping through his fingers.

"Uh- I, I don’t know! Somewhere near... near Elm and... I think we’re by a park or something. There’s glass everywhere, and- she's not... she’s not waking up!"

As he spoke, Matt’s voice cracked again, his words coming out in choked sobs. His free hand kept shaking Y/N’s shoulder, trying to rouse her, to pull her back to him.

"Alright, I’ve got your location. Help is on the way. Sir, I need you to focus for a moment. Is anyone else in the car with you?"

Matt’s voice broke into a desperate wail.

"Yes, yes, it’s my girlfriend. She-she’s not moving! I tried to wake her, but... but she’s just lying there, and she’s bleeding. Oh god, there’s so much blood!"

He couldn’t stop his crying, his entire body shaking as if he were freezing. Maybe he was.

"Okay, I understand. Help is on its way, I promise. But I need you to check if she’s breathing. Can you see if she’s taking any breaths?"

Matt let out a strangled noise, almost animalistic, as he leaned back to try to see. His hands were unsteady and he wiped furiously at his eyes to clear his vision. He leaned closer to her, straining to see if her chest was rising, but everything was too dark and chaotic.

"I-I can’t tell! I’m trying, but she’s not moving! Please, just help her!" His voice rose to a scream at the end, cracking under the weight of his despair.

"We're doing everything we can, sir. You’re doing great, okay? Just stay with me. Take a deep breath. I need you to look at her chest. Is it rising and falling, even a little?"

Matt tried. He really tried. But all he could see was blood. Blood on her eyes, her lips, her collarbone. He could barely make out her features through the darkness and the horror of what was happening.

"I don’t know, I don’t know!" He cried, his voice breaking into another sob. "It’s too dark, and her hair- there’s so much blood on her face. I’m scared to move her, I don’t want to hurt her more! Y/N, baby, come on. Please, don’t leave me." He begged, his voice raw with desperation.

He reached for his own seatbelt, fingers fumbling as he tried to undo the latch, but it was jammed. Tears blurred his vision constantly, frustration and fear boiling over as he yanked at it, the metal digging into his palms.

When the seatbelt finally gave way, he turned his attention back to her face.

"I’m here, I’m here." He whispered, pressing frantic kisses to her forehead, ignoring the cold of her skin and the taste of blood hitting his tongue. "I’m not leaving you, okay? Just stay with me."

"You’re doing the right thing by staying with her, sir." Their voice made him remember that he was still with the call on-going. "Just keep talking to her, alright? I know it’s hard, but you need to stay calm for her. What’s her name?"

Her name. God, her name was everything. It was the first thing he thought of when he woke up and the last thing on his mind before he fell asleep. He let out a shuddering breath.

"Y/N... Her name’s Y/N." He whispered, his voice raw. He cradled her face with his free hand, gently brushing the blood-streaked strands of hair away. "She’s so cold. Why is she so cold?"

"Y/N is going to be okay, sir. We’re sending an ambulance to you right now. I need you to tell me: are you hurt? Are you bleeding anywhere?"

Matt’s mind was short-circuiting, the edges of his vision tinged with black spots. But he couldn’t focus on himself. He couldn’t care less if he was bleeding or broken.

"N-No, I’m fine. It’s just her. She-she hit her head so hard." His voice broke into a whisper at the end, as if saying it too loudly would make it more real.

"I understand. But you might not realize you’re hurt because of the adrenaline. Can you check if you’re bleeding or if you feel any pain?"

Matt’s eyes darted frantically between his phone and Y/N. He couldn’t think about himself, couldn’t even process what they were asking.

"I told you, I’m fine!" He screamed into the phone, his voice cracking with a desperate fury. "I’m fine! It’s Y/N! Just... please save her! She’s... she’s everything. I can’t-" His words broke off into a series of harsh, broken sobs.

"I hear you, and I promise we're doing everything we can. Help is almost there, okay?"

Matt nodded frantically, even though they couldn’t see him. He clung to Y/N’s hand like a lifeline, pressing it to his lips, whispering her name over and over.

"Please, baby, stay with me... Please. You’re so strong. You can get through this. Just keep breathing for me, okay? Please..."

Outside, the wailing sirens grew louder, the red and blue lights flashing through the shattered windows of the car.

"Please... don’t leave me." He whispered one last time, the sound of his door being ripped open sounding muffled before the darkness around him finally swallowed him whole.

The last thing he felt was Y/N’s cold hand slipping from his grasp as the world went dark.

　　　　　༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

A slow, rhythmic beeping was the first thing Matt became aware of as he drifted back into consciousness. His eyelids were heavy, as if weighed down by invisible anchors, and when he finally managed to pry them open, his vision was blurred, everything around him a hazy mix of white and blue. The smell of antiseptic stung his nostrils, making his head spin, and the low hum of machinery filled the air.

Matt blinked, trying to clear the fog from his mind. The room was dim, a soft light glowing from a corner lamp, casting long shadows across the pale walls.

There was an IV taped to his arm, the clear tube connected to a bag hanging from a metal pole beside the bed. His body felt like it had been crushed, every breath sending a dull throb through his ribs.

It hurt to move, but he turned his head slowly, trying to get his bearings. That’s when he noticed the figure slumped in an uncomfortable-looking position on a small armchair near the bed.

Chris.

His brother was fast asleep, his face drawn with exhaustion, dark circles etched beneath his eyes. The armchair seemed to have been pushed so close to the bed that it almost touched it, like Chris had wanted to stay as close to him as possible.

Matt’s mind was sluggish, like wading through thick mud. He couldn't remember how he’d ended up here. Why was he in a hospital? What had happened?

As he lay there, trying to piece together the fragments of his memory, a flash of vivid color cut through the fog like a lightning bolt; Y/N’s face, pale and covered in blood, slumped in the seat next to him.

The memory hit him like a truck, and suddenly everything came rushing back at once: the crash, the panic, the desperate phone call. Y/N’s lifeless body beside him.

"Y/N!" The name ripped out of his throat, raw and broken.

Adrenaline flooded his veins, pushing away the pain as panic seized him. He tried to sit up, ignoring the sharp agony that shot through his side and the dizziness that made his head sway. The only thought in his mind was finding her, making sure she was okay. He had to see her. He had to know if she was still-

His hands scrambled at the IV taped to his arm, trying to yank it free.

"No, no, no... C'mon, I need to find her!" He gasped, his voice frantic and uneven. His vision blurred with tears, anxiety closing in like a vice around his chest.

Chris woke with a sudden start, his eyes snapping open. For a split second, he was disoriented, but then he saw Matt struggling on the bed, clawing at the IV line.

"Matt! Hey, stop. Stop!" Chris practically leaped from the couch, crossing the short distance to his brother in a heartbeat.

Matt barely registered Chris’s presence.

"Let go of me! I need to find her!" His voice was wild, a desperate, guttural scream. He shoved at Chris with what little strength he had, the effort sending another stab of pain through his ribs, but he didn’t care. All that mattered was Y/N. She was out there somewhere, alone, hurt. He had to get to her.

Chris’s heart twisted painfully at the sight of his brother in such a state. He grabbed Matt’s hands, trying to stop him from tearing the IV out.

"Matt, listen to me! You need to calm down!" His voice was steady, but there was an edge of panic in it, fear for both Matt’s physical and mental state.

He pushed the call button for the doctor frantically, knowing they needed help, now.

Matt was beyond reason. He was sobbing, his voice breaking as he shouted like crazy.

"Get off me, Chris! Please, I have to find her! Y/N- where is she? Where’s Y/N?!" He thrashed against Chris’s grip, raw terror coursing through him. His mind was a whirlwind of worst-case scenarios, each one more terrifying than the last.

Chris used every ounce of strength he had to pin Matt’s hands down against the bed, his fingers digging into Matt’s wrists. He leaned in close, his face inches from Matt’s, forcing him to make eye contact.

"Matt, you need to stop!" He shouted, his voice cracking. "Listen to me, please! Nick is with her, and they’re taking care of her! You have to stay here and let them help you, okay? You’re hurt, too!"

But it was like Matt couldn’t even hear him.

"No, no, no! She’s not okay, she wasn’t moving! I need to see her, Chris! Let me go!" His screams were hoarse, filled with a raw, primal agony that tore at Chris’s heart.

Before Chris could say anything else, the door burst open, and a doctor, along with two nurses, rushed in, their expressions tense and focused.

"What’s going on?" The doctor demanded as she approached the bed, her gaze flicking between the brothers.

"He’s trying to rip the IV out." Chris said breathlessly, his voice shaking. "Please, he won’t calm down!"

The doctor nodded sharply, gesturing to one of the nurses.

"We need to sedate him before he injures himself further."

"No!" Matt screamed, thrashing even harder against Chris’s grip. "Don’t you dare! I need to find Y/N!" His voice was broken, desperate, his eyes wide and filled with terror.

Chris's hands tightened around Matt’s, holding him down as the nurse prepared a syringe. Tears streamed down Matt’s face, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.

He was looking at Chris with an expression so lost, so utterly heartbroken, it nearly broke Chris, too.

"Matt, listen to me." Chris pleaded, his own voice breaking. "She’s going to be okay. But you’re going to hurt yourself if you don’t stop. I promise, I promise I’ll take you to her as soon as they say it’s okay. But you have to calm down, okay? Please, Matt..."

Matt’s eyes were wild, searching Chris’s for any sign of a lie, any hint that he was just trying to placate him. But Chris’s face was so full of anguish, so full of love and sincerity, that Matt’s resolve wavered for a moment.

The nurse took advantage of that brief second of hesitation, quickly inserting the needle into Matt’s IV line. Within seconds, the sedative began to take effect. Matt’s thrashing slowed, his screams dying down to broken sobs as the world around him began to blur again.

"No... Chris, please... It was my fault... Y/N..." Matt’s voice was barely a whisper now, his eyelids drooping as the drug pulled him under. The last thing he saw was Chris’s tear-streaked face, mouthing something he couldn’t quite hear before the darkness swallowed him whole.

　　　　　༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

The darkness that had pulled Matt under before slowly began to recede, but this time, it was different. Darkness enveloped him in a terrifying nightmare, pulling him under like the tide dragging him out to sea.

He was back in the car. The smell of gasoline and blood was suffocating, the crunch of broken glass grinding beneath his legs as he struggled to move. Y/N was next to him, her face ghostly pale, her eyes closed, blood streaming down her forehead and pooling beneath her. Her body lay limp, lifeless against the car seat, and no matter how many times he screamed her name, she didn't stir.

"... Y/N, please! Wake up!" Matt’s voice was raw, his throat burning with the force of his screams. He shook her shoulder frantically, his fingers slick with blood. "No, no, no... please, Y/N, don’t do this to me!" But she remained still, her head slumped to the side, blood trickling down her delicate features.

The world around him was spinning, the sound of sirens in the distance growing louder, yet somehow they never seemed to get closer. His breaths were short, and frantic gasps as he clutched at Y/N, his tears falling onto her lifeless body.

"God, no! Please!" He was breaking, unraveling, his heart tearing apart as he held her close, praying for a miracle that wouldn’t come.

"Matt!"

The voice was distant at first, barely cutting through the thick haze of his panic. But it grew louder, more urgent, like a beacon trying to pierce through the storm in his mind.

"Matt! Come on, wake up!"

But Matt couldn’t make sense of it. His eyes were still glued to Y/N’s lifeless form, his hands desperately trying to stop the flow of blood, his heart shattering with each second that passed. The voice was there again, louder this time, sounding so familiar, so achingly real.

"Matt, it’s okay. You're safe. Matt, listen to me!"

The scene in front of him wavered, flickering like a glitch in a broken film reel. The wrecked car, the blood, Y/N’s unmoving body; all of it seemed to blur, like someone was tearing the nightmare apart at its seams. Matt blinked, his vision shifting between the nightmare and something else. A figure - blurred, indistinct - hovered above him. He could hear that voice again, so much clearer now, so desperate and familiar.

"Y/N?" Matt’s voice was a hoarse whisper, his eyes darting around frantically. But his mind was still caught between the nightmare and reality. He could feel Y/N’s cold body beneath his fingers, could see her blood staining his hands. "No, please! Don’t let her die! God, please, don’t take her from me!" His voice broke into anguished sobs, raw and heart-wrenching, as he pleaded into the darkness.

The figure above him froze, and then, in an instant, arms wrapped around him. Matt was pulled into a tight embrace, warmth pressing against his trembling body.

"Hey, hey, it’s okay. I’m here. Matt, it’s me. You’re safe." Chris’s voice was thick with emotion, his own tears spilling as he held Matt close.

The youngest dropped to his knees beside the hospital bed, leaning over Matt’s shaking form, one arm cradling the back of his head as he tried to bring him back from the brink.

"Shhh, it’s okay, Matt. Y/N is okay. I promise you, she’s alive. It was just a nightmare." Chris whispered desperately into Matt’s ear, his grip tightening when he felt his brother’s body shake with gut-wrenching sobs. He rocked them both slightly, his own chest heaving as he tried to keep it together for Matt’s sake. "I’ve got you, alright? I’m right here. She’s okay. I swear."

But Matt couldn’t process the words. His mind was still stuck in that twisted nightmare, where Y/N was cold and still beneath his hands, where he’d failed to protect her.

"No, no... I have to get to her." He choked out, struggling weakly in Chris’s arms. "I can’t lose her... I can’t..."

"Matt." Chris said more firmly, his voice breaking. He pulled back just enough to look Matt in the eyes, his hands cupping Matt’s face, thumbs brushing away the tears streaming down his cheeks. "Listen to me. You’re not in the car anymore. You’re in the hospital. Y/N is okay. She’s being taken care of. She’s safe."

Chris’s words were slowly, agonizingly, starting to sink in. Matt’s sobs grew softer, his breaths still ragged and uneven, but the desperate thrashing stopped. He could feel the warmth of Chris’s body, the steady pressure of his hands holding him down, grounding him in the present. The nightmare was slipping away, reality clawing its way back into his consciousness.

Matt’s fingers, which had been gripping Chris’s shirt with bruising force, gradually loosened. He blinked, his vision clearing enough to see the hospital room around him. The blinding lights, the beeping machines, the sterile scent, all of it slowly registered, pulling him further away from the nightmare’s grip.

"Chris...?" Matt’s voice was small, broken, like a lost child. His wide, tear-filled eyes searched Chris’s, looking for confirmation that this wasn’t another twisted dream.

"Yes, it’s me." Chris whispered, his forehead pressing against Matt’s. "You’re safe. I’ve got you."

Matt collapsed into Chris’s arms, his body going limp with exhaustion. The adrenaline that had kept him going drained away, leaving him weak and trembling. He buried his face in Chris’s shoulder, his hands clutching at his brother’s back like a lifeline.

"I thought... I thought I lost her..." He sobbed, his voice muffled and choked. "I couldn’t... I can’t lose her, Chris..."

"I know, I know." Chris murmured, tears streaming down his own face as he held his brother tighter, laying his cheek above his head. "But she’s alive. She’s okay. And you’re okay. We’re all here, Matt. You’re safe."

Slowly, so slowly, Matt’s sobs began to quiet. His breathing evened out, but that only brought the pain to control. Each breath sent a jolt through his bruised ribs. His head throbbed, the pain pulsing behind his eyes, and his skin was clammy with cold sweat. He shivered, his body exhausted and aching, but he let himself lean into Chris’s embrace, the warmth of his brother’s presence keeping him grounded.

Chris continued to murmur soothing words, his hands rubbing circles on Matt’s shoulder, trying to calm the tremors that still wracked his brother’s body.

"You’re okay, Matt. You’re safe. I’ve got you."

Matt let out a shaky breath, his body finally beginning to relax, the nightmare fading further into the recesses of his mind, the steady rhythm of Chris’s heartbeat against his ear helping to calm the storm inside him.

For the first time since waking, Matt felt like he could breathe again. He was still in pain, his body battered and broken, but Chris’s comforting presence kept him anchored, keeping him from slipping back into that dark abyss.

"Can... can you call me the doctor?" Matt whispered hoarsely, his voice barely audible.

"Are you feeling pain?" Chris asked worriedly, receiving a small nod as an answer. "Okay."

Chris brushed back the damp hair on Matt's forehead while pressing his free hand against the red button.

"Chris." Matt croaked out again. "Y/N... how is she?"

His younger brother's face crumpled, and he let out a shaky breath. He looked away for a moment, trying to collect himself before turning back to Matt.

"She... she was in surgery." He said quietly, every word seeming to cost him. "Nick told me... she had internal bleeding, and they had to go in to stop it. She hit her head super hard, too. But... the surgery went well. She’s stable now and probably still asleep."

Matt’s heart shattered at those words, a cold, sick feeling twisting in his stomach. Internal bleeding. Surgery. Y/N had gone through so much, and it was all because he couldn’t control his own damn car. If he had just been paying attention... He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms as he struggled to hold back the tears.

"Can I... can I maybe see her?" He asked, his voice so small, so broken, it almost didn’t sound like his own.

Chris stared at him for long seconds, his eyes searching Matt’s face, like he was trying to read the thoughts swirling in his mind. And maybe he could see it. Maybe he could sense the guilt that was eating Matt alive. But Chris didn’t press him. Instead, he sighed heavily, searching for his hands and stopping him from hurting himself further.

"The doctor is the one who has to let you." He whispered, biting his bottom lip hard. "You know... I was really scared, Matt. I thought... I thought I was going to lose you forever."

Matt watched the pain swimming inside Chris's blue eyes.

"I’m sorry, Chris." He muttered, his voice cracking. "I’m really sorry for scaring you. You and Nick."

Chris looked down at him, his eyes shining with tears, and shook his head.

"No, Matt... no, it’s not your fault." He said, his voice fierce despite the tears. "I just... I’m just so glad you’re here. That you’re alive."

Matt swallowed hard, his throat tight. He didn’t deserve Chris’s relief, not when Y/N was still out there, hurt because of him.

Before he could say anything else, the sound of the door creaking open echoed, and a doctor stepped in, clipboard in hand. Behind her were two nurses, ready to assist with whatever was needed.

Dr. Patel, a middle-aged woman with gentle eyes, gave Matt a small, reassuring smile as she approached his bedside.

"Good to see you awake and calmer, Mr. Sturniolo. How are you feeling?" She asked, her tone soft yet businesslike.

Matt swallowed, his throat dry and raw from the crying.

"I... I’m in pain." He admitted hoarsely, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Everywhere."

Chris squeezed his hand reassuringly before turning to the doctor.

"Is there something more you can give him for the pain?" Chris asked, his voice thick with concern.

Dr. Patel nodded, her expression turning more serious as she flipped through the pages on her clipboard.

"We’ve been managing his pain with a mild dosage to avoid any complications, but given that he's more conscious now, we can adjust his medication." She gestured to one of the nurses, who immediately set about preparing a new injection.

Matt’s eyes fluttered closed for a moment as he tried to focus on breathing through the pain. Each inhale felt like it was slicing through his ribs, the weight of his guilt and worry making it even harder to catch his breath.

"Doctor, can... can I see her? Y/N, I mean... please." He pleaded, reopening his eyes before looking at her.

Dr. Patel paused, her gaze softening as she looked at him.

"Let’s take care of your pain first, Matt." She said kindly, her voice a steady anchor in the chaos. "I promise, as soon as you are stable enough, we’ll let you see her."

The nurse approached with the syringe, and Matt turned his head away, too drained to watch as she injected the painkiller into his IV. Moments later, a cooling sensation spread through his veins, slowly dulling the sharp edges of his agony, but it did nothing to ease the turmoil inside him.

As the medication began to work, Matt’s eyelids grew heavier, but he fought against the sleep that threatened to pull him under.

"I'm fine now... please." He begged, his voice wavering. "I'm fine, I need to see her. I... I have to make sure that she’s okay." His breath came in shallow, slow gasps, and his eyes darted to Chris, silently pleading for help.

Chris stepped forward, placing a calming hand on Matt’s shoulder.

"Hey, hey." He whispered, trying to soothe his brother. "Let the doctor decide if you're stable enough, okay? I promise you’ll see her soon."

Matt shook his head stubbornly, the panic still clawing at his chest.

"I promise that I'm feeling okay now, m-my pain is gone." His words sounded slurred, his eyes blinking slowly while trying to keep himself awake, looking at the doctor with determination.

Dr. Patel’s face softened as she listened to Matt’s broken pleas. The room was quiet for a minute, save for the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor. She glanced at Chris, who was holding his brother’s shoulder tightly, as if trying to anchor him to the present moment.

"Please... I have to see her." He whispered again, the words more of a gasp now. "I just... I need to know she’s really okay."

The doctor sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. She understood his desperation, his need to see Y/N with his own eyes. It was a common reaction, patients often believed that seeing their loved ones would somehow confirm their survival would make it more real. And judging by the fear and panic still etched into Matt’s face, this was something he desperately needed.

Dr. Patel turned to the nurse beside her, exchanging a brief, silent conversation before she turned back to the brothers.

"Alright." She said finally, her tone gentle but firm. "We can take you to her room, Matt... but only if you’re in a wheelchair. You’re still recovering yourself, and moving around too much could set back your progress."

Chris’s head whipped toward the doctor, a glimmer of hope lighting up his tired eyes.

"Wait... you mean... he can see her?"

"Yes, but only for a few minutes." Dr. Patel clarified. "And he must stay seated. We’ll have to monitor him closely."

Matt’s entire body seemed to sag in relief at her words. He would have agreed to any condition at that moment if it meant seeing Y/N, even if it was just for a second.

"Yes... yes, please. I’ll stay in the wheelchair. I promise." He breathed, the frantic edge to his voice slowly easing into something softer, more hopeful.

Chris nodded gratefully at the doctor, his eyes glassy with unshed tears.

"Thank you." He whispered, his voice thick. He turned to Matt, squeezing his brother’s shoulder. "Okay, Matt... just breathe, alright? We’re gonna see her."

The nurse quickly wheeled in a padded, adjustable wheelchair. Chris helped Matt shift carefully from the hospital bed into the seat, wincing with every grimace of pain that crossed Matt’s face. Matt tried to hide it, but his stiff movements and shallow breaths were enough to betray just how much he was still hurting. Once seated, Matt clutched the arms of the chair with white knuckles, willing his trembling legs to steady.

Chris crouched in front of him, locking eyes with Matt.

"Are you sure you’re good to go?" Chris asked softly, his voice laced with concern. "If you start to feel worse, we can turn back, okay?"

"No." Matt said quickly, shaking his head even though the motion made him dizzy. "I need to see her, Chris. I won’t... I can’t rest until I know she’s a-alive." His voice was nothing more than a hoarse whisper now, but it carried a weight that cut Chris to his core.

The small entourage - Matt, Chris, the doctor, and a nurse - began their slow journey down the fluorescent-lit corridor. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air, and the occasional sound of distant monitors and hushed conversations drifted from other rooms. Chris stayed beside the wheelchair, his hand on Matt’s shoulder the whole time, a steadying presence as they moved.

Matt’s heart was a wild drum in his chest, each turn of the hallway only ratcheting up his anxiety. He felt like he was caught in a nightmare that he couldn’t wake up from, the fear that he might find Y/N still and lifeless on a hospital bed eating away at him.

Finally, they stopped outside a door marked with Y/N’s name on a small placard. Dr. Patel turned to Matt, giving him one last assessing look.

"Remember, just a few minutes." She reminded him gently. "She’s stable but still heavily sedated. It might be a while before she wakes up."

Matt nodded, barely hearing her as his eyes locked on the door. Chris leaned down to give his shoulder one last reassuring squeeze before opening it. The soft creak of the door seemed to echo through Matt’s mind, the sound like a gunshot in the quiet hallway.

As they wheeled him inside, Matt’s breath hitched. There she was, his Y/N, lying so still in the bed, surrounded by machines that beeped and hummed softly, tubes and wires connected to her fragile form. Her face was pale, bandaged in places, and her chest rose and fell in the slow, steady rhythm of sleep. But she was breathing. She was alive.

Before his eyes could drink in every detail of her condition, his attention was pulled to another figure in the room.

Nick.

Nick’s head shot up at the sound of the door, his eyes widening in surprise. Relief washed over his face, softening the lines of exhaustion and worry that had been etched there. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days, his hair disheveled, eyes red-rimmed.

"Matt." Nick breathed, his voice trembling with emotion.

He quickly crossed the room in a few long strides, his eyes scanning his brother’s face like he couldn’t quite believe he was awake and here in front of him. Without a word, he dropped to his knees beside the wheelchair, wrapping his arms around Matt in a tight, desperate hug.

"Oh God, Matt." Nick’s voice cracked as he held on tight, as though letting go would make this moment disappear. "I thought we lost you... I thought..."

Matt weakly lifted one arm, patting his brother’s back as best as he could manage.

"I’m okay." He whispered hoarsely, though the pain in his body begged to differ. "I’m here, Nick... I’m here."

Nick pulled back, his eyes shining with tears, but he quickly wiped them away with the back of his hand.

"You have no idea how scared we were, Matt... but God, I’m so glad you’re awake."

Chris, standing close by, put a comforting hand on Nick’s shoulder, giving him a small, reassuring squeeze.

"He’s okay, Nick. We’re okay." Chris murmured, nodding assuredly.

The doctor and nurse patiently waited for the brothers to have their moment before gently nudging the wheelchair forward.

"Let’s get you closer to her, Matt." Dr. Patel said softly.

As they wheeled Matt to Y/N’s bedside, all the noise of the hospital seemed to fade away. All he could hear was the soft, steady beep of the machines monitoring her vitals.

Matt’s eyes welled up with tears as he took in her pale face, the bruises peeking out from under the bandages on her forehead and the soft rise and fall of her chest.

He reached out with a trembling hand, his fingers brushing against hers. Her skin was cool to the touch, and a sob tore through him. Without hesitation, he leaned forward, bringing her hand to his lips. He kissed her knuckles softly, over and over again, his lips lingering on every bruise and scrape he could see.

"I’m so sorry." He whispered, his voice raw with anguish. "I’m so, so sorry, my love. Please... please forgive me. I love you so much, Y/N. I need you. You have to wake up soon. Please."

He kept pressing gentle kisses to her hand, his tears slipping down and wetting her skin. His heart ached in ways he never thought possible, the guilt eating him alive. This was his fault. If only he had been more careful...

Nick watched silently, his own eyes filled with tears, and Chris had to turn away for a moment, pressing a fist to his mouth to stifle a sob. The sight of their brother - usually so composed - completely broken over the woman he loved was almost too much to bear.

Finally, Matt’s strength gave out. His body, already weakened and worn from the medication, was quickly reaching its limit. He slowly leaned forward, resting his head gently on the edge of Y/N’s bed, his cheek pressed close to her hip. He stayed there, clinging to her like she was his lifeline, his breaths coming in soft gasps as he struggled to stay conscious.

"I’m here, Y/N... I’m right here." He whispered, his voice barely more than a breath. "I won’t leave you... I promise."

The pain was slowly fading, his body seeming to finally allow the medication to work its way through his system. Matt’s eyes grew heavier, his body sagging with exhaustion. But he didn’t want to sleep. He wanted to stay with her, to watch over her, to be there when she finally opened her eyes.

Dr. Patel watched him with a soft, sympathetic gaze. She could see how much this was costing him, but she also understood that this was what he needed.

"We’ll let him stay for a little longer." She said quietly to Chris and Nick, who both nodded gratefully. "But you must agree that, if anything changes, if he starts showing signs of distress, you call for me immediately.”

"We will." Chris promised, his voice low and earnest. Nick nodded in agreement, his eyes never leaving Matt.

With that, the doctor and nurse quietly exited the room, leaving the three brothers alone with Y/N. The room was dim and quiet. The only sound was the soft beeping of the monitors and the occasional muffled sniffle from Nick or Chris.

Matt finally let the exhaustion pull him under, his breathing evening out as he drifted into a fitful sleep. His fingers were still wrapped loosely around Y/N’s hand, and his head rested against her side as if he could protect her even in his sleep.

　　　　　༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

Several hours passed in quiet vigil. Chris and Nick stayed sat on the small couch by the wall, watching over Matt and Y/N like silent guardians, their hearts heavy with worry but relieved that, for now, their family was still holding on.

As the soft light of dawn began to creep through the tiny window in Y/N’s room, there was a faint stirring.

The world around her was a hazy blur, everything out of focus and spinning, like she was caught in a dream she couldn’t quite wake up from. There were distant beeps and muffled voices, but they all seemed so far away, like she was listening from underwater.

A faint, familiar smell flooded her nose. Matt. Or is it Nick? It was something like strawberries or maybe coconut. She couldn’t tell, but it was comforting enough. She tried to move, to lift her heavy eyelids, but her entire body felt like it was weighed down by an invisible force.

After what felt like an eternity, Y/N finally managed to blink her eyes open, the harsh bright lights above her making her squint. The ceiling was white and sterile, and as her vision adjusted, she could make out the faint sounds of machines beeping rhythmically around her. Her mind was foggy, like a thick cloud had settled over her thoughts, and it took her a moment to realize where she was.

A hospital. She could feel something tight around her ribs, a dull, throbbing pain in her head, and an odd numbness throughout her limbs that made it difficult to move. Her throat was dry, like sandpaper, and when she tried to swallow, it sent a sharp ache down to her chest.

Panic started to bubble up in her chest, her heart rate quickening as fragmented memories began to resurface - the blaring headlights, the screech of tires, and the sudden, jarring impact that had stolen her breath away. She let out a small, pained whine, her chest tightening as she tried to remember more, but it was all so blurry, so confusing.

A voice cut through the haze, it sounded quiet but rough, like it had been scraped raw.

"Y/N? Hey, it’s okay... you’re okay."

She turned her head slowly, every movement feeling like she was wading through thick mud. The face that came into focus was familiar, a face that brought her the feeling of home amidst the confusion.

Nick.

Y/N’s eyes blinked slowly, struggling to focus on the two faces in front of her. She was still groggy, the world around her hazy, but the concerned expressions of Chris and Nick gradually came into focus. Her brows furrowed slightly, confusion clouding her tired gaze.

"N-Nick...? Chris...?" She mumbled, her voice rough and barely audible. Her throat was parched, every word scraping against the dryness.

Nick let out a shaky laugh, tears gathering in his eyes.

"Oh my god, I was so... I'm so glad you're back." He whispered, his voice breaking with a mixture of relief and emotion. He stepped closer, reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair away from her face.

Chris nodded, his face lighting up with the first real smile in what felt like an eternity.

"We’ve been really worried about you, Y/N." He murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You’re a fighter, you know that?"

Y/N tried to smile, but even that felt like lifting a mountain.

"What... what happened?" She asked, her voice weak, her words slurred from the medication and anesthesia coursing through her veins. "I... I remember the crash. I remember..." She trailed off as she recalled the moment of impact, the way everything had gone black in an instant. "It all happened so fast."

Nick’s eyes filled with tears, and he traveled his hand from her hair to her shoulder, squeezing the covered skin tightly.

"It was... it was really bad. But you are here now, okay? You made it through the surgery. You’re safe."

"Surgery?" The word sent a chill down her spine. She tried to remember, but everything after the crash was a blur. "What... what happened to me?" She asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Nick took a shaky breath, his grip on her tightening as if he needed the contact to ground himself before connecting his eyes with Chris's, begging for him to answer her.

"You had internal bleeding caused by some broken ribs." Chris explained gently, cleaning his throat to disguise the emotion in his voice. "You’ve been out for at least 15 hours after a four-hour surgery. And... and you hit your head really hard. But the doctors said the surgery was a success, and your concussion is mild. You’re going to be okay."

Y/N let out a shaky breath, the reality of it all crashing down on her. Surgery. Internal bleeding. The thought of how close she’d come to... She couldn’t finish the thought, the fear overwhelming her.

"Where... where’s Matt? Is he okay? Oh god, he was driving-"

Chris’s eyes softened, and he exchanged a glance with Nick.

"He’s right here, Y/N." Chris reassured her gently, pointing towards Matt's figure with his head.

Y/N’s gaze flickered downward, and her breath hitched when she finally registered for the first time Matt slumped over on the edge of her hospital bed, his head resting beside her hip. His brown hair was disheveled, and his face looked paler than she had ever seen, decorated with a variety of bruises and cuts, but he was breathing, his chest rising and falling steadily.

It was then that she noticed the weight of his fingers against hers, holding her hand firmly as if she could disappear at any moment.

"He’s been by your side from the minute he woke up..."

The sound of the boy's voice, combined with the familiar touch of his girlfriend, pulled Matt from the depths of his medication-induced sleep. His eyelids fluttered, a groggy groan escaping his lips as he slowly stirred awake. For a moment, he looked confused, his eyes unfocused as he blinked against the harsh lights.

But then, as his gaze settled on Y/N’s face, now wide awake and staring back at him with teary eyes, everything clicked into place. His heart leaped in his chest, and any remaining fog of sleep vanished instantly.

"Y/N?" He croaked, his voice raw with disbelief. His eyes widened as he looked at her, truly seeing her awake for the first time. "Oh my god... you’re... you're awake."

Y/N managed a weak smile, tears gathering in her eyes as well.

"Hey, baby. I'm here." She whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "You look like you’ve been through hell."

Matt let out a choked laugh, a mix of relief and joy bubbling up inside him. He quickly pulled himself closer to her, his hands shaking as he reached for her face, brushing his thumb tenderly over her bruised cheek.

"I thought... I thought I had lost you." He confessed, his voice breaking. "God, Y/N, I was so scared. I... I couldn’t-" His words were cut off by a sob he couldn’t contain, and he buried his face in her neck, pressing desperate kisses to her exposed skin, his curls tickling her chin in a grounding way.

Y/N’s heart ached at the sight and feeling of him so broken. With what little strength she had, she squeezed his fingers, trying to comfort him.

"I’m here, Matt." She whispered. "We’re okay. You don’t have to worry anymore."

Matt shook his head, his tears soaking her neck.

"I’m so, so sorry." He choked out between sobs. "I’m so sorry, Y/N. I should’ve protected you... I couldn't even-"

Y/N’s brows knitted together in confusion as she tried to process his words. She lifted a trembling hand to stroke his messy hair, trying to calm him down.

"Matt, baby, hey... where's this coming from?" She asked, her voice soft and full of concern as her eyes traveled momentarily to Chris and Nick, searching for an answer in them that they didn’t seem to have.

Matt just kept shaking his head, his sobs growing louder, muffled by her skin.

"It’s my fault... it’s all my fault." He whispered, his voice breaking. "I should’ve seen the car... I should’ve done something... God, you wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me. I'm really, really sorry..."

Y/N’s confusion turned to anger as she realized what he was saying.

"Matt, look at me." She demanded, her voice suddenly stronger despite her weakened state.

He slowly lifted his tear-streaked face from her shoulder to meet her gaze momentarily, his eyes red and puffy.

"How can you blame yourself?" She asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "You... Matt, there was nothing you could’ve done. A crazy driver was coming to our direction. You didn’t cause this."

"But... but I should’ve seen it sooner. I should’ve done more." Matt insisted, his voice cracking terribly. He couldn’t meet her eyes for more than a second, ashamed of the guilt that had consumed him. "You got hurt because of me... I should be the one lying in there, not you."

"Don't you dare say something like that, Matthew." Y/N said firmly, her fingers gripping his hand as tightly as she could manage. "Listen to me. It was not your fault. There was nothing you could have done to stop it." She let out a shaky breath, her eyes softening as her free hand traveled to his face, softly brushing away the tears from his cheeks. "I’m okay, Matt... because of you. You were there. You kept me safe until help came."

Her words only made Matt’s tears flow harder, dripping directly where her fingers met his skin, his sobs causing his body to tremble and his ribs to ache, but there was a shift in his eyes, a flicker of something like relief. He didn’t fully believe her, but hearing her say it, seeing the sincerity in her expression, it was like a balm to his raw, bleeding heart.

"You did everything you could, baby. You saved my life. If it wasn’t for you..." Y/N couldn’t even finish the sentence; the thought was too painful to bear. To lose a life with the love of her existence.

Matt sniffled, pressing the side of his face against her palm and wiping the other side of it with the back of his hand, still holding on to Y/N like she was the only thing keeping him afloat.

Nick and Chris watched the whole scene unfold in silence, their hearts heavy with the raw emotions in the room. Chris discreetly wiped away a tear while Nick stood there, his arms crossed over his chest as if trying to hold himself together.

"I love you so much." Matt whispered, nuzzling against her hand. "I can't even picture a life without you."

"I love you too, Matt." Y/N murmured back, her fingers weakly squeezing his. "But you don’t have to picture anything. I’m right here."

Matt let out a shaky breath, nodding.

"Now, why don't the both of you rest a little bit more?" Nick's voice seemed to remind them of the brother's presence. "It will do good for your healing process." Y/N's eyes lifted to the oldest momentarily before nodding slowly.

As the room settled into a comfortable silence, Matt gently laid his head back down on the bed, still holding Y/N’s hand as if it was his lifeline. Y/N stroked his hair softly, her heart aching with love and relief.

For the first time in what felt like forever, they could finally breathe. They were together, alive, and that was all that mattered.

2K notes · View notes

a-leg-without-fear · 3 months ago

Text

Cold🔥🌧️

i'd like to thank matthew michael murdock for getting me back into writing

Ship: Matt Murdock x Female!Reader

Rating: 18+ (WE'RE BACK BAYBEE)

Wordcount: 2.4k

Warnings: smut, sexual situations, foreplay, oral (fem receiving), shower sex, violence, blood, faith, depressive thoughts, angst, cursing, mentions of choking/hanging, DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN SPOILERS

Song: Cold by Annie Lennox

Chk. Kssssssss.

Hot water rained down in pellets of fire against Matt’s skin. Beating on his bruises and cuts, both cleansing and punishing in their nature. Warmth licked along his flesh and cooked him alive. His heart still pounding, jaw clenched, muscles twitching as if ready to pounce. Steam immediately clogged his senses with a pure, fog-like mist.

Matt had leaned forward, body suspended by his palms braced against the glass wall. His head hung low between his shoulders. Streams of water raced from his slicked hair down his battered chest. Faint traces of crimson leeched into the clear streaks and merged into a puddle around the drain. Swirls of grime and sweat and blood circled the steel grate.

A twinge from the darkening bruise lining his back, a sharp jab of agony, and Matt was yanked back a mere four hours.

Musty. Musty and old, were his first thoughts. The tiles lining the walls of this tunnel were caked in layer after layer of age. Notes of mold, earth, dust, and several other unsavory smells surrounded Matt on all sides. Whistled passed him as he charged down the unused subway tracks.

He grimaced, straightening his posture and dropping his arms. A reluctant shiver rolled up his spine at the change in position. Faint caresses of fatigue laced through the tendons in his calves.

New scents emerged in the path Matt followed. Cortisol, blood beating through a pounding heart, unwashed rags coated in copper-smelling paint. A young man, standing at 5-feet 9-inches. Whispers of countless victims surrounded this person like a dark aura.

Neck cracking, he tilted his head to stretch out the tension hardening his shoulders. The shower pummeled Matt’s sensitive skin. Harsh collisions shifted to soothing blows, massaging sore muscles and strained joints. Matt let out a labored breath. He lifted his head and let the forgiving water run down his face in penitent rivulets.

The chill of the silver chain around his neck was a stark contrast to the comforting warmth wrapping around Matt like a blanket. An ever-present reminder, cradling the simple cross right above where his heart slowed behind his ribs. He moved to glance a touch off the shining metal, fingers gently tremoring, then diverted to rub at his heavy eyelids.

Rage gathered at the base of his skull like a brewing storm. Fiery, explosive, lightning flashing and bathing Matt’s senses in a red blaze. A guttural scream bellowed from between his bared teeth. With a crouch, coiled like a snake, Matt launched himself into the air.

Movement. The creak of the bathroom door. Matt tensed, widening his awareness beyond the fogged glass walls of the shower. Someone had entered the room. They were familiar, close, Matt's own scent followed the new presence like a shadow. He cocked his head as he focused.

Hair tousled and lightly tangled, eyes still drooping from sleep, one of Matt's shirts draped across a shambling frame. A quiet yawn fell from between pursed lips.

Matt let a small smile tug at his features. He turned his head to offer acknowledgement, an understanding that your presence hadn't gone unnoticed.

"Hey," you offered, graveled voice passing through the air like a hand through smoke. More rustling, the sound of cotton rasping against skin, only a trace of Matt's scent left dancing along your skin as the shirt crumpled in a pile on the floor.

The shower door opened with a hiss. Steam roiled in the air and encompassed your body with open arms. You moved to stand behind Matt, every step accompanied by a light splash of water lapping at the soles of your feet.

Gentle fingertips brushed the glaring splotches across Matt's back. His body responded with an involuntary shudder, fists clenching at his sides. A light gasp caught between your teeth.

"Matt..." you whispered under your breath. Your hands glided across the bruises with delicate precision.

The steel, pointed barb shot out of Matt's baton like a bullet. It soared through the air, propelling him forward, before embedding itself in the bricks behind the canvas-covered man with a spray of rubble.

"Hey. Matt? What happened?"

Your palms smoothed around the warmed skin of his waist, embracing him from behind. A soothing breath coasted along the droplets clinging to his back. His hands wrapped around yours, clasped just below his ribs.

"I'm fine, sweetheart," he answered simply. You sighed, pressing your cheek between his shoulder blades. Matt could feel tendrils of your hair sticking to his skin like vines on an old building.

"You can talk to me, you know," you breathed, the words falling heavy from your lips. You squeezed him tighter as you nuzzled closer against his back. Matt winced, your collarbone digging into a fractured rib.

"Of course I do," he replied.

Matt turned in your arms until he was facing you. Your chests pressed together, breath mingling in the space between you, water cascading in trails and carving highways down your bodies. He ran his fingertips along your arms until he could cup your jaw in his hands.

It was in times like these, when thousands of water drops hit your body in rapid succession, that Matt felt like he could truly see you. Every splash of liquid against the planes of your face illuminated your features like fireworks. The slope of your nose, how your cheekbones rose and fell until they met your jaw line, the crinkle in the corners of your eyes as you looked up at him.

He traced a delicate pattern in the water still clinging to your cheek with his thumb. The crease between your eyebrows deepened the longer Matt went without giving an explanation.

But he didn't feel like giving one.

Fist collided with face as Matt tackled Muse. Blow after blow both thrown and received between the two. Matt would hook a punch over Muse's head, only to dodge a kick to his ribs in the next millisecond. The faint heartbeat echoing from Angela's chest gave Matt a strict deadline. Her slowing pulse echoed inside his head, spurring him on as Muse kneed him in the hip. A dance of blood and death.

"Matt?"

Shoving down the events of last night, he connected your lips to his in a heated kiss. His long fingers tangled in your soaked hair as he tilted your head in just the way he needed. He drew you impossibly closer, tighter, making you pliant beneath his touch. You gasped into his mouth, a noise that was easily swallowed by Matt.

The pads of your fingertips glided up his back in near reverence. As if the lines in your skin spelled worship. Every point of connection between the two of you was Matt's lifeline. His reason for being. The altar he prayed to every evening.

Matt walked you back with every exchanged breath. He lavished in how perfectly you fit together. His tongue tracing the edges of your teeth, his lips brushing against yours, his hands falling from your hair to drift over the warm dew gathering on your arms.

"Matt," you whispered between breaths, voice already dripping with need. He could sense the prologue of your body's symphony. Waves of heat and arousal orchestrated from between your legs floated through the bathroom's haze. A gentle nip under your ear conducted the violins to join the revelry. A touch brushed across your hip beckoned the flutes. Your back resting against the misted glass invited the drums and harps.

Once your body was flush with the glass, Matt began making his journey down. Painting brushstrokes of idolatry along the thin skin under your jaw. Utter adoration flowed from each kiss, each drag of his canines. You are where I can find forgiveness.

"Matt, please," you whined. Your palms found purchase on the swell of his chest, pushing gently, "What- Shit! -What happened? Where did the bruises-"

"Let me have this," he gasped, tearing his mouth from your skin like separating pieces of velcro. His forehead came to rest on your shoulder.

"Matt-"

"I need this. I'll tell you after," he begged softly. Matt willed his pulse to even out with heavy gulps of air as he waited for your response.

A moment. Two. Electricity darted between the water molecules surrounding you like your own solar system. Matt tilted his chin to breathe in the skin at the crook of your neck. His senses zeroed in on you like entering a long tunnel.

God, he could taste how aroused you were. Wave after wave of the scent that was distinctly you overwhelmed the flashes of pain and violence from hours prior. Splashes of blood were coated in a rose-colored hue, screams were muted, pain was temporary. If heaven was real, it was buried within your scent.

"Promise?" you asked tentatively.

Matt pressed a chaste kiss against the hinge of your jaw, "Promise."

You hooked a finger under his chin, angling his face so you could meet his unseeing eyes. There was no forgery in his desperation for you. Every waking moment, every second that passed without you held against him was another mile added to his descent into hell.

"Okay. After," you finally said. That was all the answer Matt needed.

His knees collided with the slick tile, a dull thud ricocheting up his thighs. Supplicant. Hands gripping at your hips like you were this all-encompassing deity. He could practically feel the warmth of your holy radiance evaporating the water still trailing down his back.

The first step in his path to salvation was hooking your knee over his broad shoulder.

You let out a drawn "fuck," as Matt dragged his lips along the inside of your thigh. He could feel the pulse of your blood flowing through the thin skin, how every cell in your body ached for him.

A long drag with the flat of his tongue along your thigh had him groaning against you. He hadn't even reached your folds, his north star, the summit he aspired to, and his eyes were rolling underneath their lids. Another rasping swipe made a shudder roll through his body.

Scraping, pulling fingers wove through his drenched hair. Tugged him higher and higher to that zenith he could never be without. An involuntary hum rumbled deep in his chest. His one and only goal achievable, now that he'd been led to where you needed him most.

Your body beckoned him to drink from you. Practically begged for him to sup of your ambrosia, to feel your arousal flow down his throat. Every pass of his tongue through your cunt guided you both to rapture. Matt clung to your legs like you were his means of survival.

He was addicted to you. That much was painfully obvious. Like any devout to their god, Matt worshipped you. He could lay at your feet and drink from your body's chalice for the rest of his sinful life and never live up to your sanctity.

If Matt was the devil, then you were an angel.

Nothing mattered as much as pleasuring you. Whether it be with his tongue, his scarred hands, or his cock. The world could burn if it meant hearing your breathless moans one last time.

"Matt..."

Even the way you said his name. Like a choir singing the most beautiful hymn. The chords of an organ framed every gasp, every whine that fell from your parted lips. You were rapidly approaching the crest. You stood at the white cliff's edge before a roaring tide, waves crashing over your body like the water from a steaming shower.

Hips rocking in time with his ministrations, thighs squeezing around the crown of his head, fingers pulling at his hair. Strings of blasphemous curses flew from between your clenched teeth. Your head had fallen against the wall, eyes screwed shut, with strands of your hair sticking to the glass in a halo.

One last gentle flick of his tongue against your bundle of nerves and you shattered. Fractals of broken, stained glass rained down over Matt's prostrated body. Currents of ecstasy coursed through your veins. A choked breath caught on your tongue.

Matt reveled in the unbridled swell of pride that filled his chest. He was the one who made you feel this way. He was the one who had you moaning his name. Gone were the flecks of blood coating his skin in a constellation of violence. Gone was the unrepentant fool who entered this shower. He truly, undeniably, felt forgiveness leak from between your thighs and into his waiting mouth.

And he didn't stop.

He kept working at that bundle of nerves, begging for this euphoria to never end. You squirmed as best you could in your position. Back slumped against the glass, held upright by Matt's embodiment of Atlas holding the world.

It wasn't until he felt a gentle prod at his face that he pulled away. He barely moved an inch before he felt the tremor running up your legs. As gracefully as he could, he lowered the leg on his shoulder to the floor.

Your chest heaved with strained breaths. Water, or maybe sweat, beaded on your skin. A shaking hand untangled from Matt's hair and pressed to your forehead.

"H-Holy shit, Matt," you uttered into the steam. A sly smile finally spread across his lips. Ever the devil, was he.

A faint note of copper caught his attention. Sparked bright in his senses like a lens flare. His eyebrows knit together as he focused on the source.

You had bit your lip. Hard enough to draw blood.

Threaded cord wrapped around a sinner's neck. Thrashing limbs, choked and broken pleas, scrabbling boots against concrete. None of it mattered. Matt continued to tighten the noose.

"You okay?" came your panted voice through Matt's churning thoughts.

He squared his shoulders, rising on sore feet. His fingers twitched as his mind fought with itself. Two halves of him barking and snarling at each other like rabid dogs.

"I'll go get dressed. You finish up," he said, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of your head. Matt ignored the gnawing guilt in his gut as he stepped out of the shower.

"O-Okay."

The silhouette of your body remained burned in his senses, the brilliant beam to navigate the gathering thunderstorm in his head. How utterly rhapsodic every nerve spiderwebbed through your skin had glowed. And how he'd left you standing vacant and alone in that shower.

He cursed the very fiber of his being. Damned men don't get to delight in otherworldly pleasures. Wicked creatures should remain in the shadows where they belong. The chill of the early-morning air only solidified that line of thought.

Matt was unholy, a scorn to your radiant image. The broken horn on his nightstand, caked in blood and sacrifice, was a constant reminder of how impious he truly was.

As he sat on the bed, devil horn rubbed between his thumb and index finger, all he could think of was how utterly cold he was.

HAPPY SEASON FINALE OF DD:BA!!! what a fucking WILD ride they've taken us on, huh. it has been.... mostly ok!!! i love how matt blew up his life for most of the season, very on brand we love that for him. ep7 happened. it definitely aired. but other than that cold sore in the middle, i've loved the show!! thank GOD it's better than i expected.

also, thank you to the tuna team!!! chatting with y'all is always a highlight of my days, whether it be about the (FAR TOO BRIEF) shower scene or the cinematic beauty that was this show.

#daredevil #matt murdock #charlie cox #daredevil born again #born again #daredevil fanfic #matt murdock fanfic #daredevil born again fanfic #born again fanfic #daredevil smut #matt murdock smut #daredevil born again smut #born again smut #daredevil x reader #matt murdock x reader #daredevil born again spoilers #born again spoilers #POSTING THIS REAL QUICK THEN WATCHING THE FINALE BYEEEEEE

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vmantras · 8 months ago

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BYD eMAX 7 Superior: The Ultimate Electric MUV for Families

₹29.9 Lakh Overview and General Features The BYD eMAX 7 Superior is an all-electric Multi-Utility Vehicle (MUV) that offers a spacious 7-seater configuration, making it suitable for larger families or anyone requiring a high level of interior space. The model comes in four attractive colors: Quartz Blue, Cosmos Black, Crystal White, and Harbour Grey. It features a 6-year/1.5 lakh kilometers…

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sweettu1ips · 4 months ago

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PAIGE BUECKERS x FEM!READER

SYNOPSIS: A fall shattered her future, dreams slipping through trembling fingers—but in the quiet ache of recovery, love reveals itself. Not in grand gestures, but in the steady presence of Paige, who has always been home.

WARNING(S): -ish, angst ⋮ yelling ⋮ argument ⋮ ACL injury ⋮ pain ⋮ crying ⋮ reader feeling lost(ig) ⋮ kissing ⋮ fluffy towards the end ⋮ ACL recovery ⋮ friends to lovers ⋮ emotional ⋮ slow-burn(ish) ⋮ kind of shit writing :/ ⋮ i'm not sure if i'm missing anything...

WORD COUNT: 9.2k [Here's a pretty long one before I start writing the series <3]

| MAIN MASTER LIST |

ONE SECOND, I WAS IN THE AIR—suspended between gravity and glory—the ball in my court, the championship within reach.

The lights above gleamed like stars, burning bright against the cavernous arena, the roar of the crowd swelling like a tidal wave, pushing me higher, willing me forward.

Every muscle in my body coiled with purpose, years of training condensed into this single, breathless moment. This was for us. For my girls, who bled beside me in every grueling practice.

For coach, who shaped me from raw talent into something unstoppable. For every person who had ever screamed my name, believing I could be something more than just a player.

And then the next second, it was as if time twisted, crueling and unrelenting.

Time did not just slow; it fractured. The moment of collision ripped through me like a lightning strike, sudden and merciless.

My body twisted midair, momentum stolen, limbs flailing before the ground rose up to meet me. But it wasn’t just a fall. It was a crash, a brutal, unforgiving descent into agony.

The court was not hardwood beneath me; it was steel, unrelenting, and I crumpled against it like a marionette with its strings cut. Pain detonated through my body—sharp, blinding, all-consuming.

A firestorm in my knee, a searing knife twisting in my hip, a sickening pop I both heard and felt.

The scream ripped from my throat before I even realized I was the one making it, raw and jagged, swallowed by the gasps in the crowd, the shrill of the referee’s whistle, the frantic shouts of my teammates.

But none of it was louder than the relentless pounding in my ears, the deafening rhythm of my own heartbeat, slamming against my ribs like it wanted out. This isn’t how it’s supposed to end.

Tonight was the night. One of the biggest games of the season–– the Big East Championship. The night we were supposed to take everything we had bled for and make it ours.

And yet—here I was. Not sprinting down the court, not lifting the trophy, not standing.

Just lying there, my fingers digging into the polished wood, as if I could anchor myself against the inevitable.

Something was wrong.

Something was very wrong.

The pain wasn’t fading. It was swelling, spreading, sinking into my bones like venom. My knee was twisted at an unnatural angle, the joint already ballooning, throbbing, pulsing with heat. My hip screamed in protest when I tried to move, sending shockwaves of white-hot agony racing up my spine. And then there was the fear—the cold, creeping dread settling in my chest, suffocating, paralyzing.

Because this wasn’t just a fall.

This was something worse.

Something that could rip basketball from my grasp. Forever.

The world around me blurred, colors bleeding together, faces twisting in and out of focus like smudged paint on a canvas.

My chest rose and fell in ragged, uneven breaths, my fingers twitching against the slick hardwood as if I could claw my way back to before. Before the fall. Before the pain.

Before the moment my entire world began to slip through my fingers like sand in an unforgiving tide.

A hand pressed against my shoulder—firm, steady, yet trembling at the edges.

Coach.

His voice was a muffled hum against the static in my ears, but I could hear the strain in it, the forced calm he was trying to wield like a shield. I didn’t need to see his face to know.

He was scared.

I blinked hard, my vision swimming in and out of clarity, and through the overhead glare, I saw them. My team. My girls. Their faces frozen in horror, hands clasped over their mouths, eyes wide with something I had never seen in them before—helplessness.

They were warriors, fighters, the kind of players who clawed and scraped and pushed through anything. But now, they stood frozen, as if moving might shatter what little hope remained.

The trainers were there now, speaking in hushed, urgent tones. Hands hovered over me, assessing, measuring, calculating the extent of what I already knew was devastating.

“Where does it hurt?” one of them asked, but it felt like a cruel joke.

Everywhere.

The answer sat heavy on my tongue, but I couldn’t force it past my lips. My knee throbbed violently, a deep, bone-deep ache that spread like wildfire, the joint swollen, stiff, unnatural.

My hip burned with a pain that rooted itself into my spine, anchoring me to the floor in agony. But worse than all of it—worse than the physical destruction—was the creeping, soul-crushing certainty that this was it.

This wasn’t just a sprain.

This wasn’t just another injury to ice and shake off.

This was something bigger. Something worse. Something that could take everything from me.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to drown out the noise, the panic, the sheer, unbearable weight of it all. But I couldn’t ignore the way the stretcher was brought onto the court.

I couldn’t ignore the hush that fell over the crowd, the way thousands of voices had shrunk into silence, waiting, watching, knowing what I wasn’t ready to accept.

The trainers moved carefully, methodically, but even the slightest shift sent a fresh wave of agony rolling through me. I bit down hard, tasting copper, my nails digging into my palms, a futile attempt to ground myself in something other than the pain.

And then—Paige.

I didn’t see her at first. I felt her. The familiar presence before I even heard her voice. Then, suddenly, she was there, pushing past the others, dropping to her knees beside me, her fingers brushing against mine in a whisper of warmth. Her touch, the only thing in this moment that didn’t hurt.

Her eyes locked onto mine, stormy and wild, brimming with something fierce, something unbreakable.

“I’m here,” she breathed, voice tight, shaking. “I’ve got you.”

And for the first time since the fall, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, she did.

Her touch was a lifeline, delicate but unwavering, as if her fingers could draw the pain out of me, pull it from my skin like a curse unspoken.

I clung to her, the rhythm of her breath syncing with mine, a soft, fragile beat in the chaos of the world spinning around us.

Her presence was the anchor in a sea of doubt, the only thing keeping me tethered to something solid, something real. But even that wasn't enough to quell the storm raging inside me.

"Hey," Paige whispered, her voice steady, but there was something raw underneath it, something jagged that cut through her carefully controlled words. "Look at me. You’re going to be ok, alright?"

I could see the way her lips trembled, the way her hands were clenched tight around mine, as if she feared that if she let go, I might disappear. And in a way, I understood. Because in that moment, I felt like I was slipping.

Like the very core of me was being pulled apart, thread by thread, until I was nothing but a collection of broken dreams and what-ifs.

The stretcher came, the cold, unyielding metal frame beneath me sending a shiver through my body, and with it came the realization: this wasn’t a bruise I could ice away. This wasn’t a sprained ankle that would heal in a few weeks.

The look in the doctor’s eyes when he glanced at me told me everything I needed to know.

They couldn’t say it yet, not with so many people watching, but I saw the truth there. A diagnosis, a future that wasn’t certain, a career that might slip away in a single, cruel breath.

“You’ll be alright,” I heard Paige say again, her voice barely a whisper, but it wrapped around me like a cloak, warm and tight.

The words burrowed deep inside me, sinking into the wound of my heart, and for a moment, I allowed myself to let go of the panic, of the fear that gnawed at the edges of my mind.

For that fleeting moment, it was just the two of us, her breath mingling with mine, her presence filling the empty spaces where I used to believe in things like certainty and control.

I couldn’t feel my leg anymore, the numbness creeping in like the dark, but the pain in my chest—a hollow, aching emptiness—was enough to consume me whole. I had built my life on this game.

On the rush of the court beneath my feet, on the ball in my hands, on the endless hours of practice, sweat, and sacrifice. And now, as I was lifted away from everything I had ever known, I wondered if I would ever feel whole again.

The stadium lights, once brilliant, now seemed like distant stars, fading and flickering as I was carried away, as if the universe itself were dimming in sympathy with the crushing weight on my soul. The cheering, once deafening, now felt like an echo from a life I could no longer touch.

My dreams, so close they had once seemed within reach, were now drifting further away with every inch the stretcher moved.

But then, I felt her hand again, pressing against mine, warm and steady. Her fingers intertwined with mine, a promise, a tether to something I could still hold onto.

“We’ll figure this out,” she said, her voice strong now, like a steady current cutting through the storm. “You’re not alone in this. I’m right here.”

Her words were a balm to the raw, open wound inside me. But the truth was, no one could take away the fear. The cold, gnawing fear that my future in this game, the one thing I had known for so long, was slipping through my fingers like smoke.

I closed my eyes, my heart beating slow and heavy in my chest, and for the first time, I let myself lean into the warmth of Paige’s presence.

Her hand was the only thing that kept me from shattering, and in that brokenness, I allowed myself to believe—if only for a moment—that maybe, just maybe, I could rebuild.

We would rebuild. Together.

Together.

Togeth-

To-

“Y/N?”

“Y/N.”

Paige’s voice slipped through the static, sharp enough to cut through the fog wrapped around my mind. My head felt heavy, thoughts sluggish and tangled, like a radio caught between frequencies—just white noise and fleeting, incoherent signals.

I barely registered the crease in her brows, the slight part of her lips, the way she hovered, waiting.

“I was asking what you wanted for dinner,” she repeated, her voice softer now, laced with something careful, something that tread lightly.

Her words reached me slow, like sound traveling through water, distant and warped.

My gaze flickered, landing on the deep blue of her eyes, then the soft parting of her lips. I caught the quick flick of her tongue, the way it glossed over her bottom lip before disappearing again.

Something about the motion anchored me, pulling me just enough from the haze to remember I had to answer.

I blinked. Tilted my head slightly.

“Mexican— please.” The word tumbled out, weightless, thoughtless.

Paige lingered, watching me, waiting for something more. I gave her nothing. Just turned back to the window, to the blurred streaks of streetlights smearing gold across the glass.

The world outside moved, but I felt detached from it, like I was watching from behind some invisible barrier.

She sighed. It was soft, almost imperceptible, but I caught it.

She thought I was tired. Or maybe that’s just what she told herself.

Brent Faiyaz murmured through the speakers, his voice smooth, weaving into the quiet like silk. The hum of the car, the occasional flick of the turn signal—it all blended together, a background score to the silence stretching between us.

Paige broke it first.

“Talked to Macy today.” She kept her voice even, dipping her toes into cold water. Testing. “told me you made some pretty great progress at therapy.”

A quick glance, then a nudge against my arm, something light, something meant to pull me in.

I rolled my eyes instead. Kept them fixed on the moving world outside.

I could feel her waiting. Expecting me to say something.

I did.

“What is this?” My voice came out flat, edged with something bitter. “You keeping tabs on me now? Counting my steps, measuring my progress? Waiting for me to finally catch up?” A dry, humorless laugh.

“Bad news—I haven’t gone anywhere in the past 10 months.”

The air in the car shifted. Grew heavier. Paige’s grip on the wheel tightened.

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

I didn’t respond. But my gaze—it drifted.

Down, down, to the brace wrapped around my right knee. The one I had worn like a second skin since the accident.

The one that screamed at me every time I moved wrong. A reminder. A weight. A sentence I hadn’t been given the choice to serve.

My fingers curled into my palm, pressing deep, grounding myself in the sting. Paige noticed. She always noticed.

Her eyes flicked toward me, then to my hands—tense, unmoving. Her right hand left the console, found mine, threading our fingers together with ease. Like it was natural.

It was.

It had been, for a while now.

"Hey," she murmured, softer this time. "Don't let yourself think that just because you hit a bump in the road, you don’t matter. Don’t—don’t ever let that shit get into your head, alright? Because you’re still in this, whether you think so or not."

I swallowed, but it did nothing to loosen the knot in my throat.

She didn’t get it.

10 months. 10 months of feeling trapped in the same aching cycle. Wake up. Pain. PT. More pain. Nothing changed.

I had pushed, forced myself through every damn exercise, through every stretch, through every stair climbed and weight lifted. And still—I was stuck.

It felt like being locked in a room with no doors, no windows. Just walls that kept closing in, pressing tighter, leaving just enough air to exist but never enough to breathe.

And at night, when the world was quiet, when the weight of it all sank into my bones, I could still see it.

The accident.

The moment my body folded wrong, the sickening pop, the way pain swallowed me whole before I even hit the ground.

The way the sky blurred—too bright, too vast—as the sounds of the game faded into white noise. Hands on me. Voices I couldn’t recognize. The panicked rush of the ambulance.

The surgery.

Sterile lights. Cold air against my skin. A mask over my mouth, the slow, creeping pull of anesthesia dragging me under. Then—darkness.

The first day of PT.

The first time I tried to move and failed. The sharp, unforgiving pain that shot through me like a live wire. The way my body refused to listen. The way my therapist had smiled at me, patient and kind, telling me it would take time. That it was a process. That I had to trust it.

But trust was hard when every step felt like a battle I kept losing.

Behind all of it, lurking beneath the surface, was something heavier. The articles. The ones that used to paint my story in bright, bold letters, capturing every slam dunk, every game-winner, every moment that made me feel like I was on top of the world.

But now, they only reminded me of the cracks, the moments where I stumbled, where my body couldn’t keep up with the force of my ambition.

The whispers. The ones that echoed in locker rooms, in hallways, in the stands. They used to ask when I’d get drafted, when I’d make it to the next level.

Now, they barely spoke my name. It was as if I was just a ghost on a paper trail, slowly fading away.

The expectations.The ones that used to drive me, that pushed me harder, faster, until every second of the game felt like life or death.

Now, they were suffocating, bearing down on me, reminding me of what I was supposed to be, not what I had become.

And underneath it all, the weight that felt the heaviest—the fear that I was being left behind. Everyone else was moving forward.Everyone else seemed to be finding their place, their rhythm, their future.

But me? I was stuck in this moment, this place, where I didn’t matter anymore.

I could feel it, like a knot in my chest. The chance to get drafted was no longer just a dream—it was a distant possibility I couldn’t touch. It felt like I was watching from the sidelines, a shadow on a game I used to play in.

I couldn’t shake it. The thought that I was slipping through their fingers, just another name, another headline that would eventually fade into the past.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw them all moving forward, without me.

I saw the clock ticking, louder and louder, as if it was counting down to a time when I was no longer relevant.

Paige’s thumb brushed against my knuckles, slow and steady, pulling me back to the present.

“I know it’s been hard,” she murmured, voice threading through the quiet like the first crack of dawn against an endless night. “I know you feel stuck. But you’re not alone in this, Y/N/N. You never have been, and you never will be.”

Her words hung in the air, fragile, like the last leaves of autumn clinging to their branches before the wind came to take them.

I stared down at our joined hands, at the way her fingers curled around mine—gentle, warm, steady. A tether in the storm.

I wanted to believe her. God, I wanted to.

But belief was a fickle thing, slipping through my fingers like sand, impossible to grasp no matter how tightly I tried to hold on.

“Right,” I muttered, the word slipping past my lips, hollow, weightless. I exhaled slow, deep, as if trying to empty my lungs of something heavier than air—something that had settled deep inside me, thick and unmoving.

My teeth grazed the inside of my cheek, sharp against soft, the dull sting grounding me for just a moment. My jaw clenched, a quiet rebellion against the emotions pressing at the edges of my ribs, waiting to spill over.

Instead of letting them, I turned back toward the window, watching as the world blurred past in streaks of amber and shadow, a silent film playing at a speed I couldn’t match.

And then—her grip.

Slightly tighter. Once. Twice. Three times.

A rhythm. A pattern. A pulse against my skin.

She always did that. And I always wondered why.

"You think this is just about your knee?" Geno’s voice cracked through the air like a gunshot, sharp and unforgiving. "No, kid. This is about you. About that damn wall you keep building between yourself and the game. Between yourself and the people trying to help you."

I sat there frozen, my pulse thrumming in my ears, my arms crossed so tight it felt like I was trying to hold myself together. His words struck like a match against dry wood, igniting something volatile inside me.

My chest was tight, my jaw locked, my breathing uneven. I wanted to fight back, to tell him he didn’t understand, but I knew the second I opened my mouth, the weight of everything I’d been carrying would come spilling out.

"You don’t get it—"

"Oh, I get it just fine." Geno stepped closer, his presence towering, his voice like thunder rolling low in the distance, a storm waiting to break. "You’re pissed. You’re frustrated. You feel like the universe dealt you a bad hand, and now you gotta crawl your way back to where you were. And instead of taking the help, instead of trusting the process, you’re making it harder for yourself."

The air felt thin, my lungs refusing to expand fully. My fingers dug into my arms, nails pressing crescent moons into my skin. I needed to hold on to something, anything, before I shattered.

"You think I want to be like this?" My voice came out sharp, like broken glass, words slicing at the edges of my teeth. "You think I want to wake up every damn day feeling like I’ve lost everything? That I have to fight just to move like I used to? To watch everyone else move forward while I’m stuck in the same place?"

I was unraveling, the seams fraying, every emotion I had buried beneath exhaustion and frustration clawing its way to the surface.

Geno let out a slow breath, measured, but his gaze stayed locked on mine, unyielding. "No one’s saying it isn’t hard, Y/N. But you? You’re the one making it unbearable."

The words slammed into me like a body check. I flinched—barely—but he caught it. He always did.

"You think the weight of all this is yours to carry alone, but it’s not. You have people who want to help you, who believe in you, who see more in you than just this injury. But instead of trusting them, instead of trusting yourself, you’re shutting down. You’re keeping yourself in this prison of doubt and anger, and the only one suffering for it is you."

My vision blurred for a split second—not with tears, but with the sheer force of everything I’d been trying to suppress.

The articles. The scouts. The draft. The future I had spent my entire life chasing, now dangling just out of reach, taunting me.

Because what if I never reached it?

What if I clawed my way through the pain, through the rehab, through every grueling day of physical therapy—only to come up short?

The thought had been haunting me for months, a quiet, insidious whisper in the back of my mind.

What if you never get back to who you were?

What if you’re just… done?

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat thick and immovable. "It’s not that easy."

Geno’s expression softened for a fraction of a second before the steel returned, unwavering. "No. It’s not. But you’re making it impossible."

The silence between us was thick, weighted with everything left unsaid. I could still hear the echoes of that moment—the sharp crack of impact, the way the world had wrenched sideways as I hit the ground.

The crowd’s roar had died in an instant, replaced by a suffocating stillness, a beat of eerie quiet before panic surged through the air.

I could still see the blur of the stretcher, the sterile white of the hospital room, the forced smiles on my parents’ faces—strained, trembling at the edges, unable to mask the fear in their eyes.

I could still feel it.

All of it.

And the worst part? It hadn’t stopped feeling like that moment.

Like I was still on the ground. Still watching everything I had worked for slip through my fingers.

Suddenly the air in Geno’s office felt suffocating, thick with the weight of words I wasn’t ready to hear.

The walls felt closer than they should have, the fluorescent light above casting a harsh glare over the desk between us.

"You don’t understand," I whispered once more, my voice barely there, fragile like glass threatening to shatter under pressure.

Geno tilted his head slightly, his gaze steady, unrelenting. "Then make me." His voice was quieter now, but no less firm. "Or better yet, make yourself get it. Because if you don’t? If you keep fighting the wrong battle, Y/N?"

He shook his head once, slow and deliberate, letting the silence stretch between us like a chasm. "You’ll lose before you even step back on that court."

And that—that—was the part that scared me the most.

Because deep down, I knew he was right.

I could survive the rehab, the pain, the grueling hours of training. I could take the blood, the sweat, the exhaustion. But losing myself? Losing the game—the only thing I had ever truly known, the only thing that had ever made sense?

That was a different kind of pain entirely.

The weight of it sat on my chest, heavy, suffocating, clawing its way up my throat. I couldn’t lose myself. But the fear of losing everything I had worked for—it clung to me, ghosting over my skin like a warning, like a whisper of what could come.

The protection of being the greatest player on the court was no longer in my hands.

The realization was devastating.

My breath was shaky, uneven, as I pushed back from the chair. My legs felt unsteady, my head light, but I stood.

My eyes burned, the tears I had spent weeks—months—trying to hold back brimming at my waterline, desperate to fall. I wouldn’t let them. Not here. Not in front of him. Not in front of anyone.

I turned on my heel, fingers curling around the doorknob. I needed to get out. I didn’t want to hear any more, didn’t want to face the truth that Geno had shoved in my face like a mirror I couldn’t look away from.

But when I pulled the door open, my stomach dropped.

They were there.

KK. Azzi. Sarah. Ice.

And Paige.

All standing just a few feet away.

The hallway was eerily quiet, but the way their faces fell, the way their eyes flickered with something between concern and hesitation—I knew they had heard everything. Well, more like the yelling.

My breathing stuttered, my chest rising and falling too quickly. Tears I had barely been holding at bay slipped past my lashes, hot against my skin, and I hated it. Hated how exposed I felt. How raw.

I turned my back to Geno, my vision blurring as I wiped at my face roughly, as if scrubbing the emotion away would make it disappear.

But when my gaze met Paige’s—that soft, worried expression, the way her brows knitted together, the way her lips parted as if she wanted to say something but didn’t know how—I felt something snap.

I stood frozen for a second, caught in the weight of her stare, the quiet understanding that sat between us like something unspoken, something fragile.

I shook my head, as if shaking myself out of a trance.

I pulled my hoodie over my head, the fabric swallowing me whole, a pathetic attempt to disappear, to make myself small, to push them all away.

And then, without a word, I walked past them.

Didn’t know where I was going, but I just kept going.

The world around me blurred—faces, voices, the rush of movement all melting into a distant hum.

The neon signs above the storefronts flickered weakly against the night, their glow swallowed by the thick, humid air that clung to my skin. Even at this hour, UConn’s campus still pulsed with life.

Groups of students spilled onto the sidewalks, their laughter and chatter weaving into the distant wail of sirens and the rhythmic hum of cicadas.

No one noticed me.

No one saw the way my shoulders curled inward, the way my breath hitched unevenly in my chest.

The farther I walked, the quieter everything became.

My hands clenched deep inside the pockets of my hoodie, fingers curling into fists.

The fabric was rough against my knuckles, grounding me in something tangible, something real. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, heavy and uneven, drowning out the world around me.

I didn’t stop walking.

Didn’t think.

Then, suddenly, I was here.

The gym.

Its towering structure loomed before me, untouched by time, yet somehow different—colder. The doors groaned on their rusted hinges as I stepped inside, the air thick with the scent of sweat, aged wood, and the faint metallic tang of dust.

The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed, flickering like dying stars, casting long, distorted shadows against the polished floor.

I stood there, still.

The court stretched before me, vast and empty, its boundaries marking the space where I once felt whole—where every movement had purpose, where my body knew exactly what to do before my mind even had to think.

Now, all I felt was the crushing weight of everything I’d lost.

A presence loomed above.

Geno.

Watching. Silent. Measuring.

I wasn’t supposed to be here. I knew that.

But my feet had brought me anyway.

Like they always did.

Like they always would.

My gaze flickered to the sidelines, where a lone basketball rested against the edge of the court. Its once-vibrant orange hue was dulled with time, scuffed and worn, its grooves filled with dust. It looked abandoned. Forgotten. Just like me.

I bent down to pick it up, fingers brushing against the rough surface. The weight of it settled into my palms—familiar, yet foreign. Like holding a memory that no longer fit the shape of who I was.

A past version of myself lingered in this gym, in these walls, in the phantom echoes of sneakers squeaking against polished wood.

I used to belong here. This court had once been my second home, a place where I moved without thinking, where my body knew exactly what to do before my mind had even caught up.

But now?

Now, it felt like a cage.

A cruel joke. A reminder of every second, every minute, every month that had slipped through my fingers while I sat on the sidelines, watching.

Ten months.

Ten months of physical therapy.

Ten months of rehab.

Ten months of stretching, icing, strengthening, pushing—only to feel like I was standing still.

They told me healing wasn’t linear. That progress took time.

But what if I had wasted all this time just to end up exactly where I started.

I swallowed hard, exhaling sharply. Then, I moved.

Dribble. Dribble. Dribble.

The sound cracked through the empty gym like a heartbeat—mine, erratic, desperate. I gripped the ball tighter, fingers pressing into the seams, trying to anchor myself to something real. Something solid.

One step. Two steps. Pull up. Shoot.

The ball clanked off the rim.

My breath stuttered, the sound scraping against the silence.

Again.

One step. Two steps. Pull up. Shoot.

Short.

The sound of failure echoed through the hollow space, wrapping around me, sinking into my skin.

What’s wrong with me?

I used to make this shot in my sleep. I used to move without thinking, without questioning, without this crushing weight of doubt pressing into my lungs.

Now, nothing felt right.

Not in the way I jumped. Not in the way I landed. Not in the way I breathed.

The brace on my knee squeezed like a vice, a silent reminder, a whisper in the dark: You are not the same.

And I knew that. God, I knew that.

But I was so tired of waiting.

Tired of time moving like a glacier, of watching the world spin without me, of clawing at progress only to feel it slip through my fingers like sand.

I wanted to be back.

I needed to be back.

But what if—what if when I finally got there, I wasn’t enough?

What if I had lost her—the version of myself who soared, who dominated, who had no fear of falling?

What if I was chasing something already gone?

I pushed harder.

Faster.

More.

The court blurred beneath me, my body moving on pure defiance, on the raw ache of desperation. My lungs burned, sweat slicking my skin, my vision tunneling to the basket—because if I just made this shot, if I just did this one thing, maybe—just maybe—I could prove to myself that I still belonged.

But then—

I misstepped.

The world tilted.

Gravity seized me in its merciless grip, and before I could catch myself, I was falling. Again.

My body collided with the hardwood, the impact reverberating through my bones, but the sting barely registered. Because the real pain—the kind that burned beneath my ribs—had already settled in.

I wasn’t the same.

And maybe—I never would be.

Footsteps rushed toward me, quick and urgent.

"Y/N!"

Paige.

Her voice cut through the thick silence, but I couldn’t bring myself to look at her.

She crouched beside me, her presence warm and unwelcome, hands reaching, hovering, like she didn’t know if I’d let her touch me. "What the hell are you doing?"

I let out a sharp breath, turning my face away. "I’m fine."

"No, you’re not." Her voice was gentle but unyielding. "Seriously, Y/N/N—"

"I’m fine!"

The words came out too sharp, too raw, slicing through the space between us. I shoved her hands off me, a final push, a desperate attempt to keep her at arm’s length.

Paige froze, hurt flashing across her face before she quickly masked it.

I groaned, dragging a hand through my hair, my breath coming too fast, too uneven. "God, Paige!" My voice cracked, splintering under the weight of something I wasn’t ready to name. "Why can’t you just—leave me alone? For one fucking second?"

She didn’t move.

Didn’t flinch.

And that only made the anger rise higher, hotter, burning through my veins like wildfire.

"All you’ve done these past months is get on my ass!" My voice wavered, but I couldn’t stop. "Tellin’ me what I need to do, how my progress is going, how I should be feeling. Just—just stop!"

"Y/N..." Her voice was quiet, but it held so much weight. "I’m just trying to help."

"Help?" I repeated, sarcasm lacing my words. "Is that what you’re calling it? 'Cause it sure as hell doesn’t feel like help. It feels like... like I’m some fucking project, and you’re the goddamn teacher, making me jump through hoops to prove I’m worth something."

Her brows pulled together, frustration flickering in her eyes. "Because I know you’re trying! I know you’re putting in the effort. But you’re the only one who can’t see that. We want you back, Y/N. We need you back. But you’re so afraid of failing, you don’t even wanna try more."

I let out a hollow laugh, empty and bitter, the sound barely resembling something human.

"What else do you want me to do, Paige?" I snapped, my voice raw, my throat tight. "You think I’m making this harder for myself?" My breath hitched. My vision blurred. "You think I’m not tired? Tired of feeling so useless? Tired of feeling so stuck while all of you are out there, playing, living, moving forward—"

I swallowed thickly, my pulse roaring in my ears.

"I have been fighting." My voice trembled. "But nothing—nothing is fucking working." My shoulders sagged, the exhaustion settling deep in my bones.

"I’ve spent the last ten months working my ass off to get back to who I was. But what if I never do?"

The words hung between us, thick and heavy, raw and real.

Paige opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

Silence pressed down on us, suffocating.

Then, suddenly, I was moving––pushing myself up, turning away.

"Where are you going, huh?" Paige’s voice was louder now, tinged with desperation. "Nothin’s gonna do you any good if you’re just gonna go back to your dorm and feel sorry for yourself."

The moment the words left her mouth, regret flashed across her face.

Instantly, everything stopped.

I stood there, my back to her, my fists clenched so tight my nails bit into my palms.

She didn’t mean it.

I knew she didn’t.

But that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.

I swallowed, forcing my voice to stay steady, even as the weight of it all threatened to pull me under.

"I never asked for your help, Paige."

And with that, I walked away.

Again.

It was another Wednesday. Another grey morning that bled into the warmth of the afternoon, stealing a touch of brightness into the dullness of winter.

Late January had no business feeling this warm, yet there it was, a surprise sunshine pushing through the clouded sky.

A slight breeze played with the edges of my jacket, tugging at me in gentle reminders of the world continuing outside my small bubble of frustration.

I hadn’t spoken to Paige since last night… since the words I threw at her like stones, sharp and unwarranted. I could still hear them echoing in my mind.

Practically telling her to fuck off.

It felt like a jagged thing to say, even now. I had no right.

I knew I shouldn’t have said it. I knew that, but the frustration in me boiled over—too much, too fast. She didn’t deserve that.

Especially not after everything she’d done for me.

I couldn’t even count the nights she’d stayed up with me when the pain from my surgery made sleep impossible.

The nights where she curled up on the floor beside my bed, her hand resting lightly on my wrist, grounding me when the discomfort turned unbearable. When I got frustrated—at the limitations, at myself—she never snapped, never told me to get over it.

She just listened.

The endless drives to and from physical therapy, even when I wasn’t able to offer her any thanks, because my knee was a constant reminder of my limits.

When I’d been too bitter to acknowledge her efforts, when I sat in silence, fuming, she never wavered.

She would just let the music play softly through the car speakers, her fingers drumming lightly against the steering wheel in time with the beat. Letting me exist in my anger but never letting me sit in it alone.

Paige had been nothing but patient, kind, and steady. She had shown up—again and again.

When I lashed out, when I pulled away, when I made it impossible for anyone to get close—Paige stayed. She pushed when I needed pushing and gave me space when I needed air.

She brought me my favorite snacks, even when I refused to eat, leaving them on the table without a word. She sat with me through the rough nights, playing old movies on her phone when I couldn’t sleep.

She learned how to tape my knee properly when I complained that the physical therapists always did it too tight.

She carried my bag when the weight of it pulled too much at my shoulder. She made jokes, teasing me just enough to make me forget—if only for a moment—how much everything hurt.

And I had the audacity to act like she was the problem. Like she was in my way.

The regret curled up at the edges of my chest, cold and insidious, a reminder of just how unfair I had been. How blind..

But the words… they’d slipped out, a careless storm of resentment, clouding everything. And now, here I was—silent in my guilt, unable to shake the weight of what I had done.

I sighed deeply as I glanced into the vanity mirror, the soft hum of the Bronco’s engine cooling into stillness. The reflection staring back at me was no different than usual.

My hair was simply braided, strands falling loose in a few places, and my UCONN sweatshirt, the one I’d worn so many times, hung comfortably over me like a second skin.

I adjusted the brace on my knee, a reminder of everything I had gone through, and grabbed my bag, my phone, my lifeline.

The parking lot outside the facility was quiet, save for the occasional shuffle of other cars coming and going. I could feel my nerves gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. And then, across the lot, to my left, there she was.

Paige.

Leaning casually against her black Jeep, arms crossed, eyes gazing off into the distance, lost in thought or perhaps waiting for me. I stopped. My breath caught. She wasn’t supposed to be here. Not now. Not after what had happened.

My heart skipped a beat in a way it never had before. It wasn’t just the sight of her—it was the fact that she was here. Standing in front of me, even after last night. Even after everything.

I furrowed my brows, walking toward her slowly, hesitantly, as if I weren’t sure whether I was moving toward her or away from the uncomfortable mess we’d made.

"You’re here."

I muttered the words under my breath, a small disbelief lingering between us.

Paige looked at me with that soft, half-smile that could always make me feel like everything was going to be okay, even when I didn’t feel like it. "When have I ever missed any day of your PT?"

Her smirk seemed almost like a challenge, but also a quiet comfort. I shifted on my feet, looking anywhere but directly at her.

But, I knew better. Paige wasn’t just here because of that. There was more to it, something unspoken, yet too heavy to ignore.

The words I wanted to say felt too large, too complicated to voice, and the silence settled between us like an unsolvable puzzle.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, barely above a whisper, a soft curiosity edging into my voice.

Paige uncrossed her arms, letting them drop to her sides, and sighed, a long exhale that seemed to carry all the tension she’d been holding onto.

She turned away for a moment, looking toward the distant horizon, her fingers twitching at her sides. When she turned back, she seemed more vulnerable than I had ever seen her, eyes searching mine as if she were weighing something in the space between us.

"Because I realized that you’re right."

She paused, swallowing hard, and I felt the ground shift beneath my feet, the weight of her words settling heavily in my chest. "I have been on your ass..."

Guilt flooded through me, sharp and biting. I bit down on the inside of my cheek, holding back the emotions that were rising too quickly. She didn’t deserve my frustration.

"Paige," I started, but she was quicker, cutting me off with a softness that disarmed every defense I had left.

"But because I care about you," she continued, and the world seemed to stop for a heartbeat, the air thickening with the gravity of her words. "And I love you."

Her hand found mine, delicate and warm as she slid her fingers between mine, grounding me in something familiar, something safe. My heart tripped over itself, a sudden skip that sent a confusing wave of emotion through my chest.

I love you wasn’t new. I had said it a thousand times before—both to Paige and to others. Yet now, with her hand in mine, it felt different. It was a deeper pulse, a deeper truth.

Paige continued, her voice lower now, carrying an apology wrapped in care. "And because I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have said that shit to you yesterday."

The weight of her words settled over me, washing away the sharpness of the argument. Sorry.

It was a small word, but it held so much. She didn’t have to say it. She didn’t owe me an apology. But there it was, hanging in the space between us, an offering I didn’t know I needed until now.

I looked at her, and everything inside me stilled. The guilt that had knotted in my chest began to loosen, though it lingered, hanging like the last drops of rain after a storm.

I felt the pulse of her heartbeat against my skin, felt the truth of everything we had shared and everything that was still left to be said.

In the quiet that followed, I squeezed her hand gently, offering something I couldn’t yet say aloud.

My heart still raced, uncertain but softening. And in that moment, everything else—the anger, the argument, the walls we had built—felt like echoes in the distance.

We were here, together, standing in the light of this new, fragile truth.

The world around us seemed to blur, melting away like the early morning fog caught in the sun’s embrace. The faint hum of cars in the distance was a muffled memory, drowned out by the beating of my own heart.

The warmth of her touch seeped into my skin, spreading through me like a slow fire, awakening parts of me that had long been dormant. Every breath I took felt deeper, more intentional, as if we were both waiting for the next breath, the next word to break the silence.

For a long moment, neither of us spoke, our bodies suspended in that fragile space where everything is too big to express and too important to leave unsaid.

The world felt slower, gentler. The sun was still climbing, its rays now stretched wide across the parking lot, casting long shadows that seemed to mirror the tension between us, but there was something tender in the way the light fell.

As if the day, too, was waiting for us to choose the next step.

I shifted my weight, my fingers tightening around hers. A small gesture, but it felt like I was offering something I wasn’t sure I had—my trust, my willingness to try again.

The ache in my chest softened just a fraction, though I couldn’t help the flicker of uncertainty that lingered in my stomach.

Was this real? Would we ever be the same after last night?

I opened my mouth, but the words I’d rehearsed in my head for hours felt inadequate, too small for what was swirling inside me. I wanted to apologize, but I didn’t know how to make up for everything. How could I?

“I’m sorry,” I finally said, the words feeling foreign on my tongue, but necessary. I didn’t even know if it was enough.

But I needed her to know—needed to feel like I was trying, like I was reaching for something beyond the anger, beyond the frustration. “I shouldn’t have said that. I shouldn’t have pushed you away like that.”

The guilt crept back, cold and insidious, curling up at the edges of my chest. I could feel it there, a constant reminder of how much I had hurt her, even though all she had ever done was try to help me. Try to love me.

Paige’s thumb brushed softly over the back of my hand, grounding me once again. Her gaze softened, the sharpness of earlier giving way to something warmer, something more vulnerable.

She was here, and she was willing to meet me where I stood, even after everything.

“I know,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, but the sincerity in it was enough to stop time. “I know, and I’m sorry, too. I didn’t mean to make you feel like I was… like I was smothering you.”

“You weren’t,” I said quickly, shaking my head, hating the way my own words had made her feel. “Paige, you were just—” I exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down my face before dropping it. “You were just looking out for me. You always do.”

Paige let out a dry chuckle, her tongue running along her bottom lip. “Yeah, well… maybe I need to chill out a little,” she admitted, and then met my eyes again. “But I just—” She sighed, shaking her head. “I just hate seeing you struggle. I know how hard this has been for you. And I didn’t wanna let you go through it alone.”

I swallowed hard, her words settling deep into my chest.

“I know,” I whispered.

Paige stepped closer, just slightly, but enough for me to notice, enough for my body to respond before my mind could catch up.

“I meant what I said,” she continued, her voice softer now. “I care about you. And I love you.”

My breath hitched. I knew this feeling—it was familiar, something safe, something that had always been there between us, unspoken but present. So why did hearing her say it make my stomach twist?

I forced a small chuckle, trying to lighten the air before it swallowed me whole. “You act like we don’t always say that, P,” I murmured, shrugging. “We say it to Azzi and the girls all the time.”

Paige tilted her head slightly, studying me in that way that always made me feel like she saw more than I was willing to give. A slow smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.

“Yeah,” she said, voice almost teasing, but there was something else beneath it—something careful, deliberate. “But do you feel like this when you say it to them?”

I blinked, caught off guard. My breath hitched before I could stop it.

Paige had never said anything like that before—not so directly, not so openly. My mouth opened. Closed. My throat felt tight.

The air between us shifted, something unspoken crackling in the space where our fingers touched. Paige must’ve noticed, because she let out a small, knowing breath, her amusement laced with something softer, something more dangerous.

“Yeah,” she murmured, glancing away for the briefest moment before her eyes found mine again, steady and sure. “That’s what I thought.”

My heart slammed against my ribcage, a sharp, unmistakable rhythm.

Her fingers curled just a little tighter around mine, and suddenly, I wasn’t sure if I was still breathing.

She sighed, breaking the tension slightly. “Look, I know we fight,” she admitted. “And I know you’re stubborn as hell.”

A small, breathy laugh escaped me, and she rolled her eyes with a chuckle of her own.

“But I also know you,” she continued, a little more serious now. “And I know that when you push people away, it’s because you’re hurting. And I don’t care how much you fight me on this, Y/N—I’m not going anywhere.”

I felt my chest constrict, emotion creeping up my throat faster than I could swallow it down.

Paige smiled then, small but warm. “So,” she murmured, nodding towards the building behind me, “are we gonna stand here all day, or are you actually gonna let me walk you in?”

I huffed out a laugh, rolling my eyes. “God, you’re annoying,” I muttered, shaking my head as I turned on my heel, my hand still in hers.

Paige grinned. “Yeah,” she said, tugging me along beside her. “But you love me for it.”

And, for the first time in a long time, I didn’t argue.

The tension between us began to dissolve like mist in the early morning sun, and I could feel the space between us closing, slowly, like the tender stitches of a wound trying to heal.

Paige spoke again, a teasing lilt in her voice. “You’re the best player on this team—maybe even on the same level as Michael Jordan.”

I rolled my eyes despite the smile etching on my face. “Ok, now that’s reaching.” I laughed.

Paige laughed too, her laugh sweet and familiar, but then she shook her head, her expression softening. “Alright, that’s not the point!” She nudged my arm.

She hesitated for a second, as if choosing her words carefully. “Look, I know it doesn’t always feel like you’re getting anywhere. I know how frustrating it is to work your ass off and still feel stuck. But, Y/N, that doesn’t mean you’re not growing. You’re not just a great player—you’re one of the hardest-working people I know. And you know what happens when someone like you keeps pushing, even when it’s tough?”

I raised an eyebrow at her. “Enlighten me.”

Paige smirked. “They don’t just get better. They come back stronger, smarter—more unstoppable than they ever were before. So yeah, maybe you don’t feel like you’re at your peak right now. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be. And when that happens? Michael Jordan better watch his back.”

I let out a breathy chuckle, shaking my head, but the warmth spreading through my chest told me that her words had landed exactly where they needed to.

Something about the way she said it—the quiet certainty in her voice—made my heart clench. She didn’t just say things to make me feel better; she meant them.

And that realization hit me like a wave, pulling me under before I even had the chance to catch my breath.

My gaze drifted from her deep blue eyes to her lips—soft, perfect, slightly parted as if waiting for something, for me.

My heartbeat stuttered, a rapid, uneven rhythm against my ribs.

Before I could overthink it, my hand moved on its own, fingertips grazing the sharp line of her jaw. Her breath hitched, a subtle intake of air that sent warmth rushing through me.

Slowly, I tilted her face down to mine, closing the space between us, and then I kissed her.

The world around us blurred, faded into nothing. There was no noise, no expectation, just the quiet press of her lips against mine—soft, warm, achingly familiar yet entirely new.

It was slow, unhurried, like the moment had always been waiting for us to catch up to it.

I could feel everything in that kiss—the way her lips moved against mine, tender but sure, the way my hands trembled slightly where they held her.

She tasted like something sweet, something comforting, and yet there was a fire beneath it, a spark igniting deep in my chest. The way she melted into me, the way her fingers curled ever so slightly against my waist, sent a shiver down my spine.

By the time we pulled back, I felt lightheaded, breathless in a way that had nothing to do with oxygen. Paige’s eyes searched mine, something unreadable flickering across her face before her lips curved into a small, knowing smile.

“I love you,” I murmured, the words tasting different now—deeper, more honest than they had ever been before.

Paige’s smile widened, and she squeezed my hand gently. “I love you, too.” Her voice was steady, but there was something raw in it, something that made my heart flutter. “And I’m not going anywhere, okay?”

I nodded, unable to find the right words to say back. What could I say? She had already given me everything I needed to hear.

I didn’t need grand gestures or promises that we’d be perfect. I just needed her to stay—to show up, like she always had.

She pulled me into a hug, and I let myself fall into it, the warmth of her body pressing against mine, grounding me.

In that moment, I could feel the weight of everything that had been said and unsaid—everything that had hurt and healed—begin to settle in a place where I could finally let go.

I breathed her in, the familiar scent of her hair, her skin, mingling with the cool air around us. The sun, now higher in the sky, warmed my face as I closed my eyes.

The world outside continued, but in this moment, everything felt still, everything felt possible again. The past was never going to be perfect, but we could make the future ours, one step at a time.

And for the first time in a long while, I felt like I was finally ready to move forward, with her by my side.

Paige smiled knowingly. “You’re already incredible, Y/N. And I can’t wait to see the player—the person—you’re becoming.”

My heart fluttered, an unexpected rush of emotion tightening in my throat. I looked away for a moment, trying to play it cool, but Paige caught my chin gently between her fingers, guiding my gaze back to hers.

“And just so we’re clear,” she added, her voice a little softer now, “no matter how good you get, I’m still totally claiming credit for hyping you up first.”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t fight the grin spreading across my face. “Obviously.

#paige bueckers #paige bueckers fic #paige bueckers imagines #paige bueckers x fem!reader #paige bueckers x reader #paige bueckers x y/n #paige bueckers x you #paige bueckers fluff #paige bueckers angst

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blueberrybirdsworld · 3 months ago

Text

Collision 10/20

Summary:

Lando always had a type : blonde, models, not ready to settle down. Yet once he met her, all his world is changed and he slowly start to realises maybe he was wrong all this time.

It's a prequel story of The Cat Distribution System, on how Lando Norris fall in love with Ariana. Could be read seperatly.

Pairing : lando norris x original female character

Genre : SMAU, Fluff, slow burn, enventual smut and angst

Warning : none

Serie Masterlist

CHAPTER 10 : SMAU

Brazil was beautiful.

The sky burned in soft blue over white sand and palm trees. The house his friends had rented was like something out of a commercial — open-air, sleek pool, view over the ocean, warm breeze even at night. Every room was already taken, suitcases unpacked, sunglasses thrown carelessly on tables.

Lando arrived late in the afternoon, exhausted from the flight, shoulders aching, eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep.

Not just from travel.

From thinking.

He stepped into the villa, greeted instantly by the sounds of voices, music, and the scent of grilled food. Someone was already mixing drinks in the kitchen. Flip-flops scuffed the tile floors. And as soon as he walked in—

“Landooo!” Max shouted, arms thrown open. “Finally. Took you long enough.”

Pietra appeared next, grinning. “We were about to leave you behind. Again.”

Charles and Alexandra lifted their drinks in a lazy toast from the lounge chairs by the pool. Carlos was sprawled out near the deck with Rebecca, both mid-laughter over something Lando couldn’t hear. Pierre waved from the kitchen, Kika already dancing barefoot with a speaker tucked under her arm.

It was like walking into a summer postcard.

Normally, he would’ve loved it.

He would’ve dropped his bag, grabbed a beer, thrown on music, jumped in the pool fully clothed just to make everyone laugh. But today—

He felt like he was walking through someone else’s story.

And he didn’t belong in it.

He gave a half-smile, did his best to fake the energy, let everyone pull him into a group hug that smelled of sunscreen and sun-warmed cotton.

But everyone noticed, he wasn’t fine.

An hour later, after greetings were exchanged and drinks handed out, Lando found himself sitting on a low wall near the edge of the deck, staring out at the ocean.

Pietra approached without a sound, then sat beside him.

“You okay?” she asked gently.

He hesitated.

She nudged him. “Is it because of the ballerina?”

He looked over at her, eyes tired. “Ari.”

Pietra blinked. “You call her that now?”

“She said I could.”

Pietra studied him for a long moment. “You miss her.”

He didn’t answer.

Behind them, the others were still laughing, shouting about something dumb Pierre had done on the flight. They were loud. Happy. Together.

Lando looked down at his hands.

“I didn’t think it would feel like this,” he said quietly.

Max appeared next, holding two beers. He handed one to Lando, took one look at his friend, and frowned. “You look like someone just crashed your car.”

“It’s not,” Pietra said. “It’s the ballerina.”

Carlos blinked. “Wait. What ballerina?”

Rebecca and Alexandra, overhearing from the patio, perked up. “There was a ballerina?”

Lando groaned. “Can we not do this?”

Pietra grinned. “Oh no, you don’t get to sulk and keep secrets. Spill.”

Lando exhaled. Looked out at the water.

And started talking. He told them everything.

By the time he was done, the sun had dipped lower, and no one was smiling anymore.

“She sounds… special” Alexandra began.

“She was,” Lando said quietly. “Is.”

Max leaned forward. “So why the hell did you come?”

“I had to,” Lando said. “It was booked. Everyone expected me. It’s for 2 weeks. It’s nothing.”

Pietra gave him a look. “It doesn’t sound like nothing.”

He looked down.

“I thought maybe it’d be easier,” he admitted. “To leave now. Before it got deeper. Before the goodbye got worse.”

Rebecca crossed her arms. “You already sound like someone who didn’t want to say goodbye.”

“I didn’t.”

“So why not say something?” Max asked. “You could’ve asked her. To be with you. To wait. To try.”

Lando’s voice was hollow. “Because what if she said no?”

That silenced them all.

He looked up at them, eyes raw.

“I didn’t know what we were. We didn’t label anything. I didn’t ask her to be my girlfriend. And I wanted to. God, I almost did. But I kept thinking—what if this was just a moment? Just a beautiful accident?”

He rubbed his hands together.

“She’s going back to Paris. I go back to Monaco. Her life is studios and stages. Mine is planes and paddocks. We had a few weeks. Maybe that’s all it was ever supposed to be.”

The group was quiet again.

Then Pietra said softly, “And maybe you’re just scared it could’ve been more.”

That hit like a punch. He didn’t respond.

Just reached for the beer he hadn’t touched and finally took a sip, eyes fixed on the horizon.

The night went on. The others drifted back into their noise, their dance, their joy.

But Lando stayed on the wall, staring into the dark waves.

The sound of her voice still echoed in his mind.

He could still feel her hands on him, still remember the way she’d said, You’re more than that.

But tonight, he wasn’t sure what he was anymore.

All he knew was that the seat beside him was empty.

And that her absence made everything else feel just a little too loud.

@landonorris 📍 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

@maxfewtrell: bro we came to party and you’re out here filming an indie movie 😭

@carlossainz55: someone give him an acoustic guitar immediately

@kikacgomes: ok but aesthetic sad is still a serve

@sadgirlformula: Lando out here starting his “Sad Boy Summer” tour in Brazil 😭

@monetmclaren: since when does lando norris do sad sunsets??? what did we miss 😭

@f1daydreamz: HE LOOKS SO SAD WTF I’M GONNA CRY

@sunkissedmclaren: ok but like… who hurt him 🧍‍♀️

@paddockfairytale: i miss chaotic gremlin lando, who is THIS sad poet man omg

@lanternlovers: not to be dramatic but this is giving “i left my whole heart behind”

@drivertales: his friends are literally right there but my man is fighting for his life emotionally 😭

@paintedcircuits: first he’s at museums, now he’s posting sad sunsets… WHO IS SHE

@pietra Somewhere sunny and a little bit perfect ✨

@maxfewtrell: My whole world in one post 🥹🖤

@landonorris: you guys are disgustingly cute. send help.

@alexandra_stmleux: you’re glowing 🥹✨

@carlossainz55: best looking couple here and i’m not even mad about it

@kikacgomes: the way you both just radiate summer love 🏝️🫶🏼

@rebecca_dns golden hour? more like golden couple 😍

@beachbumf1: not pietra and max winning at life rn 🏖️✨

@softforpietra: she’s so pretty it’s actually insane omg

@saltyhairdreams: THEY'RE GLOWING ??? i want what they have pls 😭

@maxsupremacy: max you lucky man fr 😭🖤

@lantern.boy: not to be rude but lando is 100% third wheeling this trip 😭😭😭

@sunsetgrid: lando tagging along to couple trips >>> peak youngest sibling energy 🫶🏼

@f1shenanigans: somebody go hug lando pls he’s looking like the human version of 🥲

@f1gossipdaily

#LandoNorris seen soaking up the sun in Brazil with his usual crew… except this time, he’s the only single one.

Max Fewtrell & Pietra Pilão, Charles Leclerc & Alexandra Saint Mleux, Pierre Gasly & Kika Gomes, Carlos Sainz & Rebecca Donaldson are all loved-up while Lando seems… well, third-wheeling a little 👀

Sources say he’s been keeping it lowkey, but fans are buzzing: if the ballerina girl rumors were true, why isn't she here? 🤔 Is Lando back to solo vacations and his partyboy era? 🍾

No clear signs of a new girl on this trip — but the speculation is louder than ever.

@speedytea: okay but if that ballerina thing was real she would be here ?? feels fake now

@ferrarifever: single handly third-wheeling four couples at once... iconic behavior

@wornoutsofts: lando back in his playboy era after ONE soft girl, it didn't fix him i fear 😩

@turn1drama: the way i checked that girl’s insta and she’s like... soft aesthetic??? book girl??? YEAH NO WAY he’s into that lmao

@drsactivated: y’all really thought he was gonna change bc of one date 💀💀💀 pls

@silverstonegossip: it’s giving “i'm so single it hurts” energy 😭😭

@curblover44: i love lando but dude’s soul LEFT his body on that trip

@oversteerangel: someone said he’s on a couples retreat against his will and i haven’t stopped laughing since 😭

@f1mess: girl was a phase. he needs someone with a little spice not a ballet dancer posting flowers and poetry 💀

@wornouttires: not to be mean but i never bought the lando x ballerina thing... she’s sweet but boring af for him

@fanbehaviorf1: this trip alone proves it. he’s not changing for anybody lmao 😭😭

@softlandon: ok but?? did y’all even LOOK at his latest post?? bro looks like he’s missing someone fr 😭

@racinghearts4u: his whole vibe is “sad and lost at sunset” like HELLO he’s in his feelings

@sunlightdreamers: he’s literally surrounded by friends and still looks miserable... it’s not giving playboy energy it’s giving i miss her energy 😭🫶

@arianariverria

Only two weeks left in the Royal Opera House of London, I pass an increadible year here, I make friends for life and learn so more about me, as a person, as a dancer. Only two shows left nex week and preparations are intense but worse it. Then I will be back at home in Paris though a part of me will always be here.🌸🩰

@petalsandpirouettes you are literal poetry in motion 😭🕊️ this year was so magical to watch from afar

@stageleftdarling watching your growth this season has been breathtaking. you deserve the world and more

@ballerinabloom can’t believe it’s almost over 😢 but can’t wait to see what’s next for you!!

@balletbygrace Paris is lucky to have you back — but London will miss you dearly 🥺

@dancealive crying. don’t look at me. I’m emotional and proud. and also booking front row to Paris ASAP

@f1updatesfan so uh. does this mean we’ll see her and Lando in Paris again soon 👀

@carbonfiberballet someone check on @landonorris he’s probably counting the days until she’s leaving 💔

@landoforeverrr She always posts when Lando post. Like she wants people to remember she used to matter 😭

@f1gridgossip rumor has it he already moved on 👀 been partying non-stop in Brazil and someone said he left with a girl last night 👋

@landoisa she’s way too sensitive for him anyway. he needs someone fun, not someone who makes him mope and cry over ballet

@f1paparazzix people say she left the UK because he dumped her… not the other way around. she’s just spinning it cute now lol

@gridgirlshade Why does she act like she’s some big celeb 😭 girl you’re a side character in someone else’s plot

@f1dramaunfiltered y’all saw him at that party in São Paulo?? she’s out here journaling and he’s living his best life 😂

@landospeedqueen why is she pretending everything’s fine when he clearly dumped her 💀

@landobacktolife This is what happens when you date out of your league… no hate but she was never it

@alonsoverse can she just stop using ballet aesthetics to distract us from the fact that her "bf" is probably hooking up with someone else rn 😭

@stageleftdarling People really out here hating on a literal artist who’s just saying goodbye to a stage?? Be serious.

@kika.girard you’re pure grace. let the noise be noise.

@gridgirldiaries they’re mad because you’re soft and strong and Lando’s clearly in love. keep shining.

@arianafansupport sending all the love to Ari. block buttons exist for a reason 💗

@arianariveraupdates can we just talk about the caption… the way she’s been so open this season. proud of our girl 💖

⚠️ Several comments have been removed for violating Instagram’s guidelines

Text Conversation:

Ariana: hey. sorry if this is weird. just wanted to ask something.

Lando: not weird. ask anything.

Ariana: i saw some things online. comments under my last post. people saying stuff about you. about… someone else. i know it’s stupid. but i just— i needed to ask. is there someone else?

…typing

Lando: Ari. no. god, no. there’s no one. there hasn’t been anyone. you don’t have to ask that. i hate that people made you feel like you do.

Ariana: i didn’t want to believe it. but it’s been quiet between us. since you left. it felt like… like maybe you were done.

Lando: i’m not done. i could never be done. the truth is, i didn’t know how to talk to you. leaving felt wrong and weird and too final, and i hated it but i didn’t know how to say that without sounding needy or selfish

Ariana: it didn’t sound selfish. it sounded like goodbye. and i think… maybe that’s what hurt the most.

Lando: i’m sorry. i thought space would be kinder than clinging. i thought you needed focus. your last two shows. the closing of a chapter. i didn’t want to distract you. but it looks like i made things worse instead

Ariana: you didn’t mean to. i know that. i’m just… tired. it’s been a lot. pressures from the company, the final choreography, the stress, the hours… i haven’t really been sleeping.

Lando: wait, what do you mean? how long haven’t you been sleeping?

Ariana: it’s not serious. just the usual pre-show spiral. the perfectionism. the rehearsals. the what-ifs.

Lando: Ari. you can’t burn yourself out. not for this.

Ariana: i have to. it’s what i do.

Lando: i hate that answer.

Ariana: i know. but it’s honest.

Lando: can i help somehow? anything? do you want me to come back?

Ariana: no. you shouldn’t.

Lando: why not?

Ariana: because it’s your break. you haven’t had real time off in months. you should rest. be with your friends. live a little.

Lando: how can i rest knowing you’re not okay?

Ariana: i’ll be okay. it’s just… hard. i think i didn’t realise how much it would hurt to have you gone. and now i don’t even know when we’ll see each other again. and i hate not knowing.

Lando: me too. i miss you. so much.

Ariana: i miss you too. but you deserve to enjoy this part of your life too. without worrying about the girl who stayed behind.

Lando: you're not just the girl who stayed behind. you're the girl I’m waiting for. no matter how far, how long it gets. that hasn’t changed.

seen 12:02 AM

Lando: okay, i know you said you’re “fine” but just in case you forget: you need to eat something real today. not just coffee

Ariana: you set an alarm for this, didn’t you

Lando: 😇 london time, 2pm. daily. “text the beautiful ballerina and ask if she’s had protein yet”

Ariana: you’re a menace

Lando: i’m a concerned menace who knows you forget meals when you get in your head

Ariana: …i did forget lunch. but i’m making a smoothie now don’t yell

Lando: that’s not food

Ariana: it has banana AND peanut butter protein ✔️

Lando: i’m setting another alarm. 9pm. “remind Ariana to sleep before she convinces herself to stretch ‘just one more time’ until 2am”

Ariana: rude. and accurate.

Lando: i know you.

Ariana: you really do.

Lando: and i’m worried, Ari

Ariana: you don’t have to worry but it means a lot that you do i’m trying. really. it’s just a hard week

Lando: i know and if i can’t be there then i’ll be here. texting. reminding. annoying. whatever it takes

Ariana: thank you for remembering for setting alarms in another time zone for not forgetting me when you could have

Lando: never and just in case it gets hard again tonight here’s your official 2am emergency message in advance:

Lando: you’re doing better than you think you’re allowed to rest you don’t have to be perfect you’re already enough

Ariana: you’re going to make me cry in the dressing room

Lando: then cry. and when you’re done, eat something with carbs. and text me when you’re home tonight, yeah?

Ariana: okay i will and… thank you, Lando really

Lando: no thanks needed i’m with you even from 5,000 miles away

Ariana: just got home rehearsal ran late again 🙃

Lando: ari what time is it over there

Ariana: ...1:36am

Lando: 🤦‍♂️ do you ever listen to me

Ariana: you’re the one who told me to text when i got home i’m being responsible actually 😇

Lando: you’re being a gremlin who survives on nerves and chamomile tea

Ariana: accurate also i might have forgotten the tea

Lando: ariana.

Ariana: don’t full-name me i’m fragile rn

Lando: you said you’d go to sleep before midnight tonight i set my alarm and everything

Ariana: i was going to but we had to run the pas de deux three more times then spacing got messed up then my right foot cramped

Lando: have you eaten anything since your banana smoothie at 2pm

Ariana: 🥲 there was a granola bar in my bag

Lando: that’s not a meal that’s a cry for help

Ariana: you’re so dramatic

Lando: says the girl standing in her kitchen at 2am with a sore ankle and a granola wrapper for dinner

Ariana: i’m sitting actually and wrapped in a blanket aria is judging me

Lando: good. at least someone is

Ariana: i miss you even your scolding

Lando: i miss you too but i’m not gonna pretend this doesn’t worry me you can’t keep running on empty like this

Ariana: i just want it to be perfect it’s my last show here i want them to remember me for the right reasons

Lando: they already will you’re unforgettable, Ari not because you run yourself into the ground but because you make everything you do feel like art

Ariana: stop that made me emotional and sleepy but mostly emotional

Lando: good now drink water brush your teeth and sleep i swear if i have to hire a ninja to break into your place and force melatonin into your tea, i will

Ariana: terrifying and oddly sweet okay going now promise

Lando: good you’re doing amazing and i’m so proud of you

Ariana: you always say the right thing

Lando: if you’re not asleep in the next 20 minutes i’m setting another alarm and calling you in a terrible french accent until you hang up

Ariana: ...sleeping now goodnight, Lando

Lando: bonne nuit, ballerine 💛 dream something soft

seen 1:47 AM

Taglist : @angelluv16, @httpsxnox, @anunstablefangirl, @chocolatemagazinecupcake, @mayax2o07, @freyathehuntress, @verogonewild, @esw1012, @lilyofthevalley-09, @its-me-frankie, @linneaguriii, @ezzi-ln4, @rlbmutynnek, @actuallyazriel, @sofs16, @thulior, @sltwins, @knivesdoingcartwheels, @henna006

Let me know if you wanted to be added to the taglist !

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loveesiren · 5 months ago

Text

𝖢𝗋𝗈𝗌𝗌 𝖬𝗒 𝖧𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗍 (𝖯𝗍. 1)

Choi Seunghyun x reader x Kwon Jiyong | Masterlist

a/n: Yay! Here is part one of this angsty, terrible series I'm writing. This one is a bit of a roller coaster and idk why I'm putting my babies through this 😭 As always, I am in no way shape or form trying to convey that TOP and GD are like this in real life. I have an immense amount of love and respect for them and I am simply using them as characters in this story.

synopsis: Hate fucking G-Dragon wasn't your proudest moment. I mean, you kept coming back for more right? But what happens when his best friend suddenly takes an interest in you...

warnings: angst, mentions of smut

wc: 2.4k+

You couldn’t remember exactly when this all started—only that it had been a collision waiting to happen. One drunken night, a heated argument with Jiyong had turned into something neither of you could take back. You still recalled the fire in his eyes, the way his fingers had wrapped around your throat before slamming you against the wall. His lips had crashed against yours, all fury and desperation, his hands roaming your body like he needed to claim every inch of you. Your legs had locked around his waist, his name spilling from your lips between breathless moans as he fucked you against the cool surface. He had buried his face in your tits, groaning with every ragged thrust, his anger bleeding into something darker, something insatiable.

And that’s how it had been for the last six months—rage, resentment, and raw, reckless lust. The fights never stopped, but neither did the sex. The bruises on your skin from his grip always faded just in time for new ones to take their place. It was a secret, one that weighed heavy on your conscience. You hated Jiyong, and he hated you. That was the rule. It was just meaningless, hate-filled sex.

But then, everything changed.

Choi Seunghyun was the opposite of Jiyong in every way. Where Jiyong was sharp edges and biting words, Seunghyun was warmth and patience. He greeted you every morning with a soft smile, a cup of coffee waiting in his hand just for you. He asked about your day, listened intently when you spoke, made you feel seen in a way you hadn't in so long. You found yourself looking forward to those moments, the easy conversations, the way he treated you like you were worth something more than just fleeting pleasure.

And then came Valentine's Day.

Seunghyun stood before you, a bouquet of roses in one hand, a cliché heart-shaped box of chocolates in the other. His expression was shy, almost uncertain as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“There’s, uhm… this new restaurant that just opened up,” he said, his voice hesitant. “I thought maybe we could try it? Together?”

Your heart clenched, your breath catching in your throat.

You knew he liked you. You had felt it in the way he looked at you, in the way he lingered just a little longer whenever he spoke to you. But you never thought he’d actually do something about it. Not when you practically worked for him.

You stared at the flowers, your mind racing for a response. From the corner of the room, Jiyong sat frozen, his normally unreadable expression cracked wide open. His lips parted slightly, his eyes dark, unblinking as he watched the moment unfold.

You liked Seunghyun. A lot.

But you had been hate-fucking his best friend for months.

“I-uhm…”

Seunghyun’s face faltered for a second before he quickly masked it with a polite smile. “You don’t have to. I mean, you probably already have plans. Just—just forget I asked. Happy Valentine’s Day, Y/N.”

He turned to walk away, the blush on his cheeks deepening, but something in you refused to let him leave.

“Wait!” The word slipped out before you could stop it. You barely recognized the sound of your own voice. “I-I’d love to actually…”

Seunghyun’s expression lit up like the sun breaking through storm clouds. “Really? Great! I’ll pick you up at eight?”

For the first time in what felt like forever, you smiled—genuine, unforced. “Sounds great.”

Seunghyun walked away with a barely concealed skip in his step, leaving you standing there, the scent of roses still fresh in the air.

And then the moment shattered.

Jiyong scoffed, the sound slicing through the silence like a blade. You had almost forgotten he was there. Almost.

He sauntered toward you, plucking a single rose from the bouquet and twirling it between his fingers. His lips curled into something cruel, something wounded. “You’re really gonna go out with my best friend? After spending the last six months screaming my name?”

“Shut up, Jiyong,” you snapped, turning away. You didn’t want to have this conversation.

But he wasn’t done. “No, really, I’m curious. You trying to work your way through the whole band, or just the ones closest to me?”

Your blood boiled. “It’s not like that!”

“Oh? Then tell me, what is it like?” He stepped closer, his breath warm against your skin. His voice dropped lower, rougher. “You gonna let him touch you the way I do? Gonna let him fuck you the way I do?”

“I actually like Seunghyun.” The words were out before you could stop them.

Something flickered in Jiyong’s eyes. Something you’d never seen before. His jaw clenched, his nostrils flaring. “We fucked this morning, Y/N,” he bit out, his voice barely above a growl. “This morning.”

You held his gaze, your hands tightening into fists at your sides. “Well, that was the last time.”

You turned on your heel, walking away without another word.

Jiyong’s chest heaved, his hands trembling at his sides. The moment the door shut behind you, he grabbed the glass of water you had left on the table and hurled it against the wall.

The sound of shattering glass filled the empty room.

You were the band’s lead stylist, for Christ’s sake. You could dress five grown men in elaborate stage outfits without breaking a sweat, yet here you were, standing in the middle of your bedroom, drowning in rejected dresses. The floor was littered with fabric, discarded options that just didn’t sit right, clinging too tightly in the wrong places or making you feel like a stranger in your own skin. Frustration bubbled in your chest as you yanked yet another dress over your head and then tossing it aside with a huff.

Why was this so hard?

Because this wasn’t just any date.

It was a date with Seunghyun.

Your stomach twisted at the thought. You wanted to look perfect tonight, wanted everything to be effortless, elegant. You wanted to be soft in a way you hadn’t been allowed to be in a long time.

But deep down, a bitter little voice whispered that maybe you didn’t deserve this kind of good.

The ghost of Jiyong’s touch still lingered on your skin—hot, possessive, sinful. Just this morning, his hands had been on you, gripping your thighs, your waist, his lips dragging down your neck as if branding you. The shame of it burned through your chest. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

Seunghyun and Jiyong had been best friends since they were kids. This whole situation felt like a betrayal waiting to happen.

But then there was Seunghyun himself—kind, gentle, thoughtful. The type of man you’d once dreamed of, back before your life had been tangled in the mess of lust and hate. He was the kind of man who took his time, who cherished, who actually cared. And more than anything, you liked him.

And you didn’t like Jiyong.

…Right?

Jiyong was infuriating, arrogant, selfish. He pushed all your buttons, knew exactly how to set your blood on fire. That’s what fueled it, wasn’t it? The hatred, the push and pull, the way you loathed the very sight of him until you were pinned beneath him, gasping his name.

It wasn’t real. It wasn’t love. It was nothing.

You exhaled sharply, forcing the thoughts from your head. Your fingers smoothed down the black dress that hugged your curves, the sleek fabric clinging in just the right places. It was classy, yet undeniably sexy. This was the one.

You slipped on your black heels, threw on a matching cardigan, and checked yourself one last time in the mirror. A final touch of gloss on your lips, a quick fix of your hair—then the doorbell rang.

Your heart leapt.

You swallowed hard, inhaling deeply before hurrying to the door. When you pulled it open, the sight of Seunghyun standing there sent warmth through your chest. He looked effortlessly handsome, dressed in a dark suit, a soft grin tugging at his lips.

“Seunghyun! Hi!” you greeted, your smile bright but nervous.

“Hello, gorgeous,” he said smoothly, pulling something from behind his back—a single black dahlia. “Jiyong said these were your favorite.”

The breath hitched in your throat.

Jiyong.

Your fingers froze before hesitantly reaching for the flower. “Jiyong told you that?”

Seunghyun nodded, looking at you expectantly. “Yeah, he said you mentioned it once, that you love dahlias. Did he get it wrong?” His voice was light, playful, but his brows furrowed slightly, as if sensing your hesitation.

You forced yourself to push the unease away, offering him a smile. “No… he got it right. I do love them. Especially black ones.” You ran your fingers gently over the petals. “Thank you, Seunghyun. It’s beautiful.”

But your mind was already spinning.

Why the hell would Jiyong tell him that? Had they talked about this date? What else had Jiyong said? Was he trying to sabotage you? Or was this his way of reminding you—of digging his claws in and making sure you never truly forgot about him?

“Ready to go?” Seunghyun’s voice pulled you back to the present.

You blinked, shaking the thoughts away. “Yeah! Let me just grab my purse.”

You set the flower down carefully on the table in the entryway before grabbing your bag and stepping out into the night.

The car ride was quiet, but comfortable. Seunghyun didn’t push conversation, choosing instead to let the soft hum of music fill the space between you. The city lights blurred past outside the window, and for the first time all day, you felt yourself relax.

When you arrived at the restaurant, Seunghyun was a perfect gentleman, stepping out first and opening the door for you. He offered his arm as he led you inside, giving his name to the host.

Almost immediately, you were ushered to a private dining room.

The scene was breathtaking—dim lighting, flickering candles, a pristine white tablecloth and delicate wine glasses. It was intimate, romantic in a way that sent warmth creeping up your neck.

“Wow, Seunghyun…” You turned in awe, drinking in the effort he had put into this. “This is… this is beautiful.”

His lips quirked into a pleased smile. “I’m glad you like it.”

He moved to pull out your chair for you, and you found yourself smiling as you sat. When he took his seat across from you, he grabbed the bottle of wine, pouring for both of you before lifting his glass.

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said, his gaze warm.

You chuckled softly, clinking your glass against his. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

As the night went on, conversation flowed effortlessly. He was easy to talk to, his voice soothing, his words thoughtful. He spoke about art, about music, and you found yourself telling him about your passion for fashion in a way you hadn’t in a long time. There was no competition here, no venom, no tension like there always was with Jiyong.

By the time the date ended, he walked you to your front door, lingering for just a moment before leaning in to press a soft kiss to your cheek.

“Thank you for tonight,” he murmured.

You bit your lip, watching as he walked away, a giddy warmth blooming in your chest. You wanted more, but you liked that he didn’t rush. That he wasn’t like—

You opened the door to your apartment, stepping inside.

And then your stomach dropped.

“How’d it go?”

The voice sent ice down your spine.

Jiyong was sitting on your couch, the flickering light from the TV casting sharp shadows across his face.

Your smile vanished instantly. “How the hell did you get in here?”

He smirked, holding up a key. “I have a key to everyone’s place. I’m G-Dragon, remember?”

“I’m changing my locks,” you snapped.

He chuckled darkly, rising to his feet. “So? Did Seunghyun make you feel all warm and special inside?” His voice was laced with mockery, but beneath it, something else simmered.

“He’s respectful,” you shot back. “Not that you’d know anything about that.”

Jiyong stepped closer, his smirk widening. “Or maybe he’s just too shy.” His eyes flickered with something dangerous. “Me and him have always differed in that area.”

“Maybe I like him that way.”

His thumb brushed against your bottom lip, slow, teasing. “What you like, princess, is getting fucked. Hard. By me.”

You barely had a moment to react before Jiyong’s fingers wrapped around your wrist, tugging you forward with enough force to send you colliding against his chest. The scent of him—cigarettes, expensive cologne, and something distinctly Jiyong—swallowed you whole, making your knees weak before he even said a word.

His grip was firm, unyielding, his body heat seeping through the fabric of your dress. Your breath hitched as his other hand ghosted up your arm, trailing lightly over your shoulder before settling at the base of your neck, his thumb pressing just enough to make your pulse race. His voice was a whisper, a slow drag of smoke and sin against your lips.

“Tell me you’re not dripping for me right now.”

Your breath shuddered. You tried to will yourself into stillness, to force your body to resist the pull he had over you. But the way he looked at you—his dark eyes hooded, lips just barely parted—had your resolve cracking apart like fragile glass.

“I—I’m not…” The words barely made it past your lips, trembling and unsure.

Jiyong hummed, the sound low and knowing. His hand left your wrist, trailing lower, fingers brushing the hem of your dress. You knew what was coming, knew you should stop him—but you didn’t.

His fingers slipped beneath the fabric, slow and deliberate, teasing the sensitive skin of your inner thigh before sliding upward, pressing right where you were aching for him most.

Your body betrayed you.

He exhaled sharply, his smirk sharpening as he felt the undeniable heat and wetness pooling there. His lips ghosted the shell of your ear, voice dripping with amusement.

“Liar.”

Shame surged through you, burning hot and unrelenting. You should push him away. You should tell him to get the hell out.

But you didn’t.

Instead, you stood there, your body betraying you in the worst possible way. Your thighs clenched around his fingers involuntarily, your breath coming in shallow, needy little gasps.

Jiyong didn’t move, didn’t press further—he was waiting. Waiting for you to break first, to give in, to confirm what he already knew.

And you did.

“Maybe just…” Your voice came out weak, barely above a whisper. You swallowed, squeezing your eyes shut before forcing yourself to admit the inevitable. “Just one more time.”

The moment the words left your lips, his smirk deepened, satisfaction darkening his features.

“That’s my girl,” he murmured, his grip tightening before he crushed his lips against yours, consuming you whole.

Tags: @fr3akyyg1rll @heuningpie @sapph1r3x @moondooll @tranquilty @noharaaa @mariaxman @dear-satan @infinetlyforgotten @staryscorner @blu-brrys @come-as-you-are-111 @nicklet94 @vamplivivi @3mma-lovely @hanadulsetaad @sayugarper @forevervibezzzz1 @shieraseastarrs @mooonologyy @skzdreamz @stillpervert @seunghyunwifey @juliskopf @mirahyun @mattsturniolosbabymama @kai-277 @rotten-toenails @i-might-be-vanny @zzhengyu @petersasteria @manuzicaveyr @gdinthehouseee

#choi seunghyun #kwon jiyong x reader #choi seunghyun x reader #kwon jiyong #t.o.p x reader #g dragon x reader #t.o.p #g dragon #g dragon smut #choi seunghyun smut #bigbang #bigbang angst #bigbang fanfic #king of kpop #kpop idols #kpop fandom #kpop

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whor3ing · 3 days ago

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𝐃𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋 𝐌𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐖? | 𝐂.𝐁 , 𝐂.𝐒 & 𝐌.𝐒 ― 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒃𝒚 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒌, 𝒄𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒐 𝒃𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒃

▶︎ ၊၊||၊ COMING DOWN , THE WEEKND

colby brock, chris sturniolo & matt sturniolo x ghost!reader

WARNINGS : smut, three-man, oral (fem & male receiving), fingering, p in v, creampie, dirty talk, praise, completely reader focused worship, (no weird incest shit or contact between the boys ofc ew!) , usage of slut

𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝟏𝟖+

It starts like it always does—with boots on cracked linoleum, flashlights sweeping over peeling wallpaper, and laughter too loud for a place that remembers suffering.

But this time, the air feels different.

You’re hovering in the corner of the old surgical wing, the same place your body once failed you, your soul never quite able to leave.

You’ve watched dozens pass through.

Paranormal investigators. Skeptics. Ghost hunters.

None of them ever really saw you.

Until now.

Chris steps into the room first. He slows almost immediately, brows drawing tight as his flashlight flickers. His breath hitches.

“There’s something here,” he mutters, but it’s not with fear. It’s reverence.

You move toward him, out of habit more than hope. Your energy brushes his shoulder—and he turns to you like he felt it.

“Holy shit…” His flashlight clatters to the ground.

Because he sees you. Really sees you. His mouth parts, chest rising and falling in stuttered awe.

Behind him, Matt and Colby file in, mid-laugh—until Matt looks where Chris is staring.

“Wait,” Matt whispers. “Is that—?”

“I see her too,” Colby breathes, stunned. “That’s not… that’s not a trick.”

You float closer, cautious, trembling at the edges. Three pairs of eyes on you. Three living bodies. Three heartbeats you haven’t felt in a hundred years—and now you’re surrounded by them.

Chris lifts a hand. His fingers shake as they reach for you, expecting air.

But you let him touch.

When his fingertips meet your skin, his eyes widen with a desperate sound caught in his throat.

“She’s warm,” he says, almost dazed. “She’s fuckin' warm.”

You shudder. The sensation—contact—rushes through you like lightning in water.

“Can you feel this?” Matt asks, stepping in close. His hands glide over your hips like he’s handling something sacred—fragile, forbidden.

His breath is warm against your cheek, and when your eyes meet, there’s reverence there. Awe.

You nod.

It’s not just sensation—it’s need. You have to feel it.

Because ghosts aren’t supposed to feel this much.

Because ever since your body gave out in this room, you’ve been trapped in the dull hum between dimensions. Cold. Numb. Existing without living. Until now.

And Colby? Colby just watches. That hungry, fascinated look like he’s not just seeing you—he’s studying you. Like you’re the one variable in a case that’s never added up.

“She’s responding to touch,” he says more to himself than to them. “Heart rate’s increasing. Expression shift. Eye dilation. You want us.”

It’s not a question.

You don’t remember the last time you wanted anything.

The last time you felt heat curling in your gut like smoke, your thighs aching, a slick pulse building between your legs like your body remembers what to crave—even in death.

Chris swears softly, almost reverently. “Fuck,” he breathes, stepping forward and cupping your face. His thumb brushes your cheekbone, grounding you. “You’re here. I can feel you.”

His lips crash into yours, and it’s not gentle—it’s a collision of everything you’ve been aching for. His tongue teases your lower lip before plunging into your mouth, tasting you, breathing you in, as though you need to be cared for properly.

Matt groans, voice thick with lust and something else—longing, maybe—and drops to his knees in front of you.

His warm palms trail up your thighs, thumbs pressing into the crease where hip meets pelvis. “She’s already trembling,” he says, awe in his voice. “Like she’s overheating.”

“She is,” Colby murmurs from behind the camera, still recording. Not for content—for research.

For answers. “Residual energy spikes with tactile stimulation. But—Jesus—she’s glowing.” His voice softens, loses its clinical edge. “She’s beautiful.”

Your breath catches when Matt’s lips brush your inner thigh, right over the place where your blood once ran warm. Now, it's almost like you’re buzzing. Alive.

He mouths higher, nosing the hem of the skirt you’re trapped in from the moment you died, like lifting it will release something ancient.

And maybe it will.

“Let us take care of you,” Chris whispers against your cheek, hand sliding down your neck, fingers trailing the slope of your spine like he’s tracing your outline to memory. “All of us. You need this, don’t you?”

You do. God, you do.

It’s not just about touch—it’s healing. Their hands ground you. Their mouths ignite something buried in your spirit.

You’ve been invisible, unfelt, forgotten for years. But now? Now you’re real to them. You’re tangible.

Colby sets the camera aside. His hands are warm when they cradle your face. He’s not as frantic as the others—he’s controlled, deliberate. “I need to see how far it goes,” he murmurs, and there’s genuine care in his voice. “How much you can take.”

You whimper, thighs clenching. “As much as you’ll give me.”

Matt lets out a broken sound. “Fuck, baby…”

He pushes your legs apart gently, reverently. Then his mouth is there—lips wrapping around your clit, tongue stroking you with soft, slow flicks that turn desperate in seconds.

Your back arches, arms trembling, pulse fluttering like a bird trapped in your ribs.

“Look at her,” Chris murmurs, stepping back so Colby can drop beside Matt. “Look how perfect she looks like this.”

Colby’s fingers ghost over your stomach, your hips, your chest—curious, reverent. “She’s sensitive… Her skin—fuck, it’s like touching lightning.” Then lower. “Tell me if you need more,” he whispers, sliding two fingers between your legs while Matt’s tongue still circles your clit.

You cry out, head falling back against the wall. Chris catches you. He’s behind you now, lips grazing your neck. “That’s it. Let them make you feel it. You deserve to feel all of it, sweetheart, that's fuckin' right.”

You’ve never felt this much. Not even alive.

You moan, high and helpless, and Colby catches your face between his hands. “Pretty thing,” he says, voice husky. “You sound so damn good when you fall apart, so fuckin' special.”

His cock is already hard when he pulls it free, flushed and leaking at the tip. He strokes it slowly as he watches you melt under Matt’s tongue.

“I want her mouth,” he says, not even asking—knowing.

Chris turns your body gently, guiding you to your knees like you’re fragile glass. Your knees hit cracked tile, but you don’t feel it—not when Colby’s cock is right in front of your lips, not when Matt lays down beneath your body, his tongue is still inside you, lapping at your pretty cunt.

You open your mouth without hesitation and Colby groans the second you wrap your lips around him, head tipping back, eyes fluttering shut. “That’s it. Just like that. Take me, baby, suck my fuckin' cock for me—mmmh good fuckin' slut."

His hands slide into your hair, holding your head still while he gently rocks into your mouth. You hollow your cheeks, tongue swirling beneath his shaft as your moans vibrate around him.

Behind you, Matt doesn’t slow. His tongue is relentless—circling your clit, pushing inside you, coaxing sounds from your throat you didn’t know you could make.

“Look at her,” Chris murmurs. “Taking cock in her mouth and tongue in her cunt like she was made for this.”

You cry out around Colby’s cock, the sound messy, muffled, obscene. Spit drips from your lips, down your chin, over your chest. You can’t stop trembling.

“You’re shaking,” Matt murmurs, breathless, pulling away from your pussy for just a second. “You gonna come on my tongue already?”

You nod—frantic, overwhelmed.

Colby curses and pulls out of your mouth, fisting and pumping his cock himself, so fast as he watches. “Come for him. Come with my cum on your tongue.”

You do. Hard.

It rips through you, violent and pure.

Your thighs quake as Matt groans against your cunt, dragging it out with slow licks while Colby paints your mouth and chin with hot, thick ropes of his warm cum.

You’re sobbing by the end of it—head swimming, mouth open, body thrumming with overstimulated heat.

Chris catches you before you fall, lifting you effortlessly into his lap. His cock presses against your soaked entrance, hot and heavy.

“Still with us, baby?” he murmurs, brushing hair out of your eyes.

You nod, dazed. “Please.”

Chris pushes inside you with a groan—deep and slow, stretching you open. You gasp at the pressure, the fullness, the way he fills every inch.

“You’re so warm, how are you so fucking warm for us?” he breathes, kissing your temple. “Pussy's so perfect. So fucking tight.”

You cry out as he starts to move—long thrusts that make your whole body jolt in his arms.

And before you know it, Matt is beside you again, kissing your shoulder, your jaw, murmuring soft praise.

“You’re doing so good, such a pretty fucking girl for us,” he says, hand resting over your throat. “Taking him so deep, baby. We’re not done yet.”

Chris fucks you with rhythm, with purpose—each snap of his hips forcing his cock deeper, brushing against that sensitive spot inside that makes your eyes just fucking roll back.

You’re close—so close again, already—your body fluttering around Chris’s cock.

“Gonna come for me, pretty ghost?” he grits, one hand gripping your ass tight. “Let me feel you pulse on my cock. Let me fill you.”

You shatter.

Your second orgasm crashes through you like a storm. You scream, legs locking around Chris’s waist as he fucks you through it, chasing his own high.

He comes with a strangled moan, hips jerking, cock pulsing deep inside you as he fills you with his sticky come. You feel it. All of it.

You feel the way his cock pushes against your cervix as he finishes, his come covering your walls and soaking your pussy even more.

“Fucking hell,” he whispers against your skin.

You can’t think. Can’t breathe. You’re limp, boneless.

And then Matt lifts you again.

You cry out from the sensitivity, but he hushes you gently, cradling you against his chest, reminding you that it's all okay. “One more, baby. Just one.”

His fingers slide inside with ease, your pussy so fucking messy against Matt's fingers.

“So wet. So fucking wrecked.”'

He fucks you slow with his hands—luxurious, sensual, like he’s savoring you.

Each thrust makes you whimper. Your body is spent, but your cunt clenches around his large veiny fingers like it can’t let go.

“You’re a dream,” he whispers. “You’re everything, such a pretty fucking cunt taking my fingers like that..”

Within no time, you come again, your cunt spasming against Matt's soaked fingers as they relentlessly move in and out of you, sliding against every nerve of your soaked cunt, savoring every moment inside of your sopping pussy.

When it’s over, they don’t speak, they only hold you.

Chris pulls you into his lap, wrapping you in his hoodie. Matt strokes your cheek. Colby wipes your thighs clean with the edge of his shirt, kisses your knee.

You’re not weightless anymore. Not trapped.

You’re held.

“You okay, sweetheart?” Chris murmurs.

You nod slowly, nestled against his chest.

“Still glowing,” Matt says with a soft smile. “Still the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

You blink slowly. You’re raw. Fucked-out. Worshipped.

And for the first time in over a century, you feel alive.

happy the video was delayed tbh !! I wanted to get this out around the same time <33

🍒 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘-𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋𝐒 - @chriss-slutt @55sturn @chrysiie @il0vey0um0st @trustinsturniolos @ivydre4ms @raes-library @mattsplaything @emely9274 @pip4444chris @whore4mattsturniolo @sweetshuga @courta13 @divinesturn @aaliyahsturniolo @chris-hallelujah @mi-co-uk @ivysturnss @sweetpeabreezyree @christophersgf @bluestriips @angelic-sturniolos111 @shadowthesim237 @moond0llie @eeyoresturnz @ellssturn @fratbrochrisgf @teddystvrns @pvssychicken @ribbonlovergirl @chrisspussygang @vanteguccir @tits4matt @bambisturns @luvs4matt @delilahsturniolo @fadedstvrn @ariieeesworld @oopsiedaisydeer @rubyychriss @babyt0matoes @kenah-sturniolo @desturns @ifwdominicfike @sturns-mermaid @pair-of-pantaloons @bbgirlmatt @backwardshatnick @gregs-child @sturnlovematt22 @tezzzzzzzz

credit to anyone with any ghost!reader au's !! I am unaware of any and this is just a one shot but I do not claim the au itself <33

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deepcreekvultures-writing · 1 year ago

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"Stellar Collision"

Spencer Reid x F!Reader

Category: Smut (NSFW, 18+)

Word Count: 8.2k

Content Warning: Mild injury, Description of injury, Smut, Fingering (F receiving), Penetrative Sex, Using Astronomy as a Plot Device

A/N: Please ignore any inaccuracies with the scientific stuff and the smut- I'm just silly and Asexual. I picture this as late season 4 Spencer, but you can picture whatever Spencer you want bbg.

Summary: Everyone knows you and Spencer Reid work well together- actually, the entire team thinks you two are the most oblivious profilers to ever work for the FBI, but c'est la vie- they figure you'll crash into each other eventually.

=======

Shaking the hand of the lead detective you introduce yourself before gesturing to Spencer who hovers behind you, “... and this is Agent Weirdly Sticky, a.k.a. Dr. Spencer Reid.”

Spencer’s face scrunches in an odd fusion of disgust, confusion, and amusement. He fights off the laugh that bubbles up and just lifts his hand in an awkward wave. Pressing his lips into a thin line to avoid the smile threatening to break out on his face. JJ elbows you in the ribs, earning a small ‘oomph’ as she pushes you aside.

It had become routine at this point, calling him weird names to break the tension between the team and locals. Spencer’s hands rest on your shoulders to steady you as JJ takes over the conversation. You chuckle, following an officer into the precinct conference room to get everything set up. Hotch doesn’t say anything about your antics for once, resigning to just accept that there was no stopping you.

“You really need to stop doing that, they’re going to think you don’t take things seriously.” Spencer mutters to you quietly, his hip lightly bumping into yours as the two of you stick photos onto the provided whiteboard.

“Yeah, maybe, but their face is worth it. It’s like they think federal agents can’t joke, so at first they believe me.” You giggle, sliding your hand around his waist, unceremoniously picking him up and pivoting him around you. You swap places with him quickly to tack a few pieces of evidence to the board.

Spencer lets it happen, not offering any help as you move him. Not that you need it, you were more than strong enough. “But “Agent Weirdly Sticky”? They’re going to think I don’t shower or something.”

You laugh, “At least they won’t try and touch you.” Looking at the board, you tilt your head a little. “The handwriting in each of these is so similar but look-” You point at two series of numbers, “one writes their seven with a dash, and the other doesn’t.”

Spencer leans forward to look at it, his eyes squinting as his mouth drops open in focus.

“I swear you need to start wearing your glasses again.” You snort, reaching out and placing your fingers under his chin to push his jaw closed.

He bats your hand away, “Glasses obstruct my peripherals.”

“But you look cute with them.” You argue, sliding to stand behind him, “I miss them.”

Flattening your hands, you place them on either side of his head, blocking his peripherals. He ignores you, trying to focus on the pages in front of him rather than the warmth radiating off of your palms. Only moving when his phone rings, you drop them on his shoulders, turning him a little so you could grab his phone from his front pocket.

“Hey Garcia, what’s up?” You greet, “...yeah, it’s me, what do you have for us?”

The investigation continues like that, the two of you revolving around each other, splitting up only when necessary, bouncing profiles off of the other.

Everyone knew you worked well together. Spencer was comfortable around you, not as stiff and one track minded as he would be working alone. He turned to you for most things, and sometimes when working through things in his mind he would just stare at you- Managing to find most of his answers in the curve of your nose and the color of your lips.

You mellowed out around Spencer, his ramblings filling empty spaces almost like a living white noise machine. It was hard for most people to believe how abrasive and short fused you could be working alone. Irritation ran rampant with local PD getting in the way, suspects being difficult, media running with half baked stories; whenever the tension in your jaw threatened to spring into a full on rage, Spencer was always there.

“You’re telling me you released the profile to the press even though we specifically told you not to?” Your eyebrows raise, hands pushing your sleeves up to your elbows.

“The public needs to know what they’re dealing with.” The detective crosses his arms over his chest, lifting his chin in challenge.

“Yeah? Well now our Unsub knows exactly what to change to avoid us, this guy is smart and he is watching.” Your voice raises slightly, shoulders squaring as you step chest to chest with the man. “From this point on, you release nothing to the press without approval from our Liaison or SSA Hotchner.”

The detective snorts, shaking his head, “Oh yeah? And who are you to tell me what to do?”

Spencer instinctively reaches out, hooking his finger around your belt loop. He tugs you backwards, putting space between you and the focal point of your mounting rage. You don’t relax, but you let him pull you back.

“I’m the woman who’s gonna punch a hole through your spinal cord.” Your tone is icy, and he can almost hear your jaw pop from how hard you’re clenching your teeth. Spencer keeps his finger hooked on your belt loop, cringing slightly at the threat.

It’s not that he disagrees with you, it was out of line for them to release a statement to the public without the team’s permission; and it’s not that he thinks you can’t back up your statement, he is well aware that you can. Spencer just didn’t want you to get suspended for assaulting an officer. Again.

Hotch approaches, stepping between you and the detective, and- to your relief- backs you up.

“If you release anything more to the public you can consider that little boy as good as gone. If you want us to be able to catch the unsub before it’s too late, it’ll do you well to listen to my agents.” His sharp gaze lingers on the man’s face before he turns to you, “Go cool off, and stop threatening people.”

You nod and turn to leave, missing the small tilt of Hotch’s head, gesturing for Spencer to go with. He obliges, quickly rushing after you.

Pacing around in the conference room, you keep your arms folded, chewing on the nail of your thumb.

“Sit.” Spencer pulls out one of the chairs, and you follow his instruction. Having gone through this routine again and again, you move a few stacks of papers, opening up a space for him to sit on the table’s glossy surface.

“I was reading up on star systems, and typically stars will orbit around each other in small or large groups- but most are trinary with only three stars…” Spencer hops up onto the table, crossing his legs under himself. He settles into his position, leaning his arms on his legs as he watches your face.

He can tell by the way your head tilts that you’re listening, unconsciously bringing your ear closer to him. Folding your arms across your chest again, you roll your jaw to relieve the tension from the joint. He pays attention to your demeanor, watching the pressure between your eyes melt away. Crossing your legs, you tilt your hips, turning your body to face him though your gaze stays cast to the floor. Spencer responds by unfolding his legs, stretching them out to rest his feet on the apex of your thigh.

Hands finding their way to the laces of his converse, you untie and retie them as his melodic droning fills the room. You keep yourself from looking at him, wanting to hold onto your anger for just a little longer. Spencer knows that you would’ve stewed in your fury for hours alone- and it seemed that Hotch knew the same.

“... but then you have star systems that are just two stars- a binary system. The Sirius star system is the most well known, but Sirius A is a lot bigger than Sirius B. Sirius B is a white dwarf- which has around the same mass as our sun but condensed into a star not much bigger than the earth.”

“Without the extra gravity from another star like in trinary systems… Do binary stars collide a lot?” You ask and Spencer beams, happy that you were finally relaxed enough to fully engage.

“Actually, it’s pretty rare for them to collide. They stay stable for the most part, but when they do collide it’s most likely due to their stability being thrown off by the exchange of mass or gravitational radiation.” Unlacing his left shoe fully, you replace them upside down, tying the bow at the toe of his converse. He expected you to do the same with the other shoe, but you leave it asymmetrical.

Lifting your gaze from his shoes, your eyes settle on his face. Spencer chews on his bottom lip, looking for any underlying stress in your features. He finds none.

“So, when a stellar collision occurs, the way it reacts depends on what kind of stars were involved in the collision. Like, if it was a set of white dwarfs, the gravitational radiation would cause them to spiral inwards and-”

Spencer is cut off by JJ poking her head in the room, “Hey, the unsub responded to the statement they released.”

You sigh, “Come on, Gorgeous, you can tell me more later.” pushing Spencer’s feet off of you before standing. You lead the way out of the conference room. As he follows, he tries to ignore the way his face warms when you call him gorgeous. He knew it was stupid to focus on your little nicknames- you use them often enough that he should be used to it by now- but his heart flutters all the same.

Spencer stands at your side, his slender fingers finding their way back around your belt loop. He didn’t think you would do anything, but local cops could be unpredictable.

A few feet away, Emily leans over to Morgan, “So how long have they been dating?” She asks.

Morgan looks at her, quirking an eyebrow, “Who?”

“Reid and his attack dog, duh.” She points to the two agents attached at the hip next to JJ. Morgan snorts, covering his mouth with his hand.

“They’re not,” He shrugs, laughing when Emily’s head snaps to look at him, “I know- I know, we like to say they are, they just don’t know it yet.”

Emily looks back at the two of you, noting how you lean back into him. Your head tilts up and you whisper in his ear, motioning to whatever the unsub had sent loosely. “You’re kidding…”

“I wish I was,” Derek shakes his head, moving to place his hands on his hips, “you’re looking at a four year relationship between the two most oblivious profilers in the FBI.”

The entire team has thought the two of you were dating at some point- even Gideon before he left. In the beginning, Hotch came to the conclusion that the two of you lived together and got into the habit of only calling one on the assumption that you would arrive together. And you did. Always.

With the unsubs response, you and Spencer manage to put together a solid lead to who exactly you’re looking for. You hand the letter to Spencer, and break away to call Garcia- still with Spencer’s phone.

Garcia locates the unsub and the team hits the road. After securing your own bulletproof vest, you approach Spencer. Undoing the velcro on the sides of his vest to redo them. The velcro ripping apart is loud, drawing the attention of Rossi. He makes a face, looking over at Hotch and Derek who shrug in response.

You make sure they’re snug, sliding your hands along the curve of his waist. Moving on to the straps over his shoulders, your face scrunches a little in focus. Your hands are warm, radiating their heat onto the skin of his neck. Spencer watches you, your lips parted slightly, the tip of your tongue fitted between your teeth. You shimmy the vest, eyes roving over his torso to make sure there were no loose points.

Satisfied, you pat the FBI emblem on his chest, turning away without a word.

As the team approaches the house, you enter ahead of him. Moving methodically through the hallways, indicating clear rooms through your intercom. You enter the garage slowly, Spencer following closely behind you.

“FBI, drop the gun and show me your hands!” You have your gun on the unsub, expression stone cold. The man huffs, sweat dripping from his nose and he switches between pointing the barrel of his hand gun at you or Spencer. He seems to settle on the latter and you step forward, rushing the unsub who in turn shoots.

Spencer expects impact, but it doesn’t find him. Instead, coupled with the dull ringing in his ears from the shot, he can hear the crack of the man’s nose as the butt of your pistol slams into it. You gently push the little boy the unsub was holding towards Spencer, who cradles him to his chest.

“We have the kid- garage.” He can hear you gasp into your intercom, the breath knocked from your lungs at the impact of the bullet. Slamming the unsub into the concrete and cuffing him, you attempt to take in air. The grimace on your face isn’t from rage, he can tell that much, the tension is sat in your throat rather than your jaw.

Once the man is cuffed beneath you, your knee holding his arms in place as he squirms, you huff. Long, drawn out, breaths are pulled into your lungs. Expanding them slowly as you feel the searing, white hot, tendrils of pain erupting from the base of your ribcage.

===

“I’m fine,” You assure him for the fifth time since the team got back to the precinct. He goes to say something, but you hold up your hand, your finger pushing against his forehead, “Yes. I promise.”

“But-” He grabs your wrist, “but, even if you were shot in the “bulletproof” vest, the vest isn’t actually bulletproof. You could have bruised or cracked ribs, internal bleeding, even organ damage-”

Wiggling your arm out of his grip, you slap a hand over his mouth, “I got checked out by the paramedics, I’m fine.” He grumbles but nods, his eyes soft as he silently pouts. “Perfect, now go pack up your stuff.”

He slinks away, still pouting. Packing up the things in the conference room slowly, his worry plaguing his demeanor. You frown as you watch him. Making Spencer upset was the last thing you wanted to do.

Morgan slides up next to you, “Hey there rockstar, I know you’re just trying to reassure him. How is it really?”

Sighing, you rub a hand over your face, “He shot me at close range, the bullet pierced through and I’ve got the most wicked bruise and it hurts to breathe- but I’m definitely not telling him that.”

Morgan laughs, his eyebrows raised in concern. “You know he just worries, let him take care of you.” He pats your shoulder in support, stalking away as Spencer comes back, bag slung over his shoulder.

Landing back in Quantico, Spencer finds his way into your car- something he had taken a liking to. You were a good driver, and Spencer didn’t really like driving all that much. Having to focus on so many things means that he can’t talk as much as he wants to. But he sinks comfortably into the passenger seat of your car. His shoulders drooping as he leans his head back on the head rest.

He tucks his duffel under his legs, relishing in the leg room your car offered. Since he was the only one who really rode with you he had the seat set how he liked.

“Are you gonna finish your rant about stellar collisions?” You ask, your voice soft as it carries over the sound of the car’s A/C. He turns his head, eyebrows furrowing slightly in confusion. You laugh, “You were explaining what would happen if two white dwarfs crashed into each other. Are you sure about that eidetic memory thing?”

He rolls his eyes at your teasing, but he straightens up in his seat, taking a second to remember where he left off.

“So, the two white dwarves would emit gravitational radiation, or waves, which would cause their orbit to become unstable- which would in turn cause the stars to spiral into each other,” He uses his hands as a model, “and once they collide, the force causes carbon fusion to ignite. White dwarfs are basically dead stars that no longer support fusions, but the fusion is re-ignited by the merge.”

You nod along, turning into the parking lot of your apartment building. Spencer is confused, usually you would drop him off first, but he decides to keep his question to himself, “And since the dwarfs are made up of that degenerate matter, the equilibrium needed to keep the merge stable is pretty much non-existent. So the thermal pressure combined with the unstable weight of them crashing into each other causes a full blown supernova.”

“Supernova, huh? That’s pretty cool.” You grin, putting the car in park. You turn your head to look at him, and he stays silent. A soft smile rests on his face, and he takes the time to memorize the way the warm lighting of the street lamp shines on your soft features.

You turn off the car, pocketing your keys as you open the car door, “I need your help with something really quick, then I’ll drop you off at home, okay?”

“Yeah, no, of course.” He gets out of the car, mindlessly grabbing his bag as he rushes to catch up with you. Unlocking your ground floor apartment, Spencer shuffles in after you. He kicks off his shoes, nudging them into a neat position with his foot before placing his bag next to them.

You shrug off your jacket, hissing lightly as you slowly stretch your arms over your head. Motioning with a small tilt of your head, you lead him further into your apartment, flicking on a few lights as you do.

After all these years of knowing you, Spencer hadn’t been to your apartment much. He liked how homey it felt, dark wood furniture scattered around neatly, warm lighting, and a little clutter here and there. It was very you.

Opening the door to your bedroom, you usher him inside. Your hand was on his lower back to guide him, “Chill out, Pancake, I just need you to help me change my bandage.” You chuckle, pushing him a little firmer as he hesitates. You separate from him to grab the first aid kit from your bathroom, setting it down on the mattress when you return.

“I thought you said you were fine?” He asks, tilting his head and furrowing his eyebrows a little.

“I am, but I might’ve just told you that because I didn’t want you worrying.” Your confession frustrates him and he crosses his arms, “Don’t look at me like that you Grackle, just help me out, please?”

Spencer nods, dropping his hands at his sides, stuffing them into his pockets. He watches as you shuffle through the contents of your first aid kit. His hand mindlessly lifts to scratch at the inner part of his right elbow. Without looking away from your task, you reach one of your hands behind you. Gently hooking your fingers around his, you push his hand away.

“Okay, so, it definitely looks worse than it is.” You warn, turning to him. Before he can ask what you mean, you start unbuttoning your shirt. His head snaps to look away, the tense joint in his neck cracking at the force.

His cheeks warm, his hands coming up to fiddle with his tie. Keeping his eyes averted, he wills himself to stop thinking all together. All trains of thought chug their way back to you, your face, your lips, your bare torso- he has to stop thinking. Blank. Blankness.

“Uh, if you’re gonna help me I kinda need you to look,” You chuckle awkwardly. He slowly turns his head, feeling like his head is sitting atop a stack of rusty gears. To both his relief and utter disappointment, you were wearing a tanktop. He doesn’t have time to decide if he should choose between the two, you shrug off the button up before quickly pulling the tank top over your head.

Spencer was afraid he wouldn’t be able to tear his eyes away from your chest, clad in a black bra, but his eyes were immediately drawn lower. At the base of your ribcage sits a large mass of purple and red splotchy skin spreading out from underneath a bloodied bandage. His mouth falls open when he sees it, his eyes flicking between your face and the bruising over and over.

“Like I said,” you raise your hands, “It looks worse than it is. The bullet pierced through the vest a little and it hit skin.”

“What? Do you have any broken ribs, any organ damage, what if you’re bleeding internally?” He rushes, his hand cupping the curve of your ribs. His thumb grazes over the edge of the bandage.

Tensing at his touch, you respond swiftly, “I have a broken rib, a few fractures and a ton of bruising. The ribs took the brunt of the force, no organ damage.”

“That you know of-”

You shush him, placing your hand over his. His fingers were warm against your bare skin. Making no move to remove his hand fully, you gently slide his hand lower to rest in the dip of your waist. He lets out a shuddering breath, briefly distracted by the softness of your side.

Peeling back the bandage, you wince, swallowing the hiss bubbling at the back of your throat. The center of the impact was so red it looked black, the dark purple skin surrounding it giving the illusion of a black hole. Reminding himself of what exactly he was here for, Spencer sits on your bed, guiding you by your waist to stand between his legs.

He gets to work, gingerly removing his hand from your side to grab the contents of your kit. Working silently, he focuses on being as gentle as possible while also assessing the damage. His eyes squint softly, his jaw hanging open as he disinfects it. You watch him, your head tilted downwards, noting every small mole or freckle you can as you try to ignore the burning ache in your abdomen- both physically and metaphorically.

Having him this close was supposed to be the norm, right? The two of you had been closer than anyone on the team for almost 5 years. But your heart pools into your stomach, settling itself in your wound. Just for the chance to be cared for by his hands.

Spencer’s hands, warm and lightly calloused, slide along your ribs as softly as he can manage. His long, slender fingers, guiding a new bandage into place.

You had never considered that Dr. Spencer Reid would ever return your simmering feelings. Sure, he went along with your teasing, let you manhandle him, calmed you down, turned to you for everything, cried on your shoulder, comforted you. But that was just him, right? He was like that with everyone… Right?

No. Spencer was sweet, yes, but you knew. He was different around you, more open, more playful. Everyone on the team knows how you revolve, bound to each other via some inexplicable force. He knows how you like your tea, he knows what snacks you like, he knows the ins and outs of your past relationships. But he knows everything, from the probability of finding a four-leaf clover, to quantum physics. You weren’t special.

But once he’s done securing the bandage just beneath your sternum, he looks up at you. His eyes rounded and shining, their honey-like color looking richer than ever.

And you feel like the only woman in the universe.

It’s hard not to feel like you’re completely under his spell when the warm hazel color of his eyes bore into your own. The patterning on his irises were just as enchanting, throwing you into the labyrinth that has held your heart at its center for the past 4 years.

“How often do you need to change it?” He whispers, suddenly finding himself closer to you, his warm breath wafting over the center of your chest.

“Just once a day after this.” Is your breathy response. Your hands lift, gently pushing the front pieces of his hair behind his ears, “Your hair is getting long.”

“Should I cut it?” He asks, gaze unwavering. You shake your head no, brushing your fingers through his soft brown waves. The touch is attentive and gentle. The air grows thick with every passing moment, bathing every touch in an intimate nature.

Spencer’s hands linger at your sides, fingers ghosting along your waist. He looks up at you, his eyes somehow softening further. You almost melt on the spot, your hands finding their place at the nape of his neck. Mindlessly, you press the pads of your thumbs into the space just below his skull. The pressure alleviates some of the tension in his neck, his eyes fluttering closed as you begin to move them in a circular motion.

“You really worry too much…” You murmur, face flushing as you watch his expression melt into contentment.

“Hard not to when you’re rushing at a sociopath with a gun…” He mumbles in response, looking at you through his eyelashes. “Especially when this bullet was meant for me.” His thumb slides over the bandage, his bottom lip jutting out a little as his eyes round at the edges.

That damn puppy dog look. You hated it. He used it in any situation where he wasn’t getting his way. He knew it worked on you, probably thinking that you just thought he was too cute to resist. Not quite, as much as you did think it was cute- it was just such a turn-on.

Scoffing, you push away the mounting arousal pooling in your stomach, “Neither of us died, so I call it a win…” his gaze doesn’t waver, clearly seeking to break you, “Stop looking at me like that.” You grumble, placing a hand over his eyes.

Spencer laughs, reaching up to pull your hand away. His fingers curl around you, sliding against the sensitive skin of your inner wrist. “Like what?”

Rolling your eyes you sigh, “Come on, Handsome, don’t be coy. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

His fingers slide up your wrist, spreading out to flatten your palm. Spencer’s hands are large, enveloping yours easily as he intertwined his fingers with your own. You had spent the last 4 years perfecting the art of hiding the way you feel about Spencer. But it was impossible to hide what he was doing to you here and now.

After years in steady orbit of each other, you were finally spiraling inwards.

He keeps his right hand intertwined with yours, his other hand sliding up your torso slowly. He keeps his eyes trained on your face, watching the miniscule changes in your flushed expression. His fingers slide along the band of your bra. The texture of the lace rubs along the pads on his fingertips. He guides his hand up, breathing shakily as it ghosts over the apex of your chest. You bristle at the contact, your hand gripping his tightly in an attempt to keep your composure.

The only thing breaking up the silence permeating the room is the uneven breathing shared between you. Spencer takes his time, tracing the outline of your collarbone. He follows the line of it, dipping his index and middle finger into the center crevice of your clavicle. Dragging his fingers up the center of your throat, his short, dull nails lightly scratching the sensitive skin. You let out a strained hum, his fingers feeling the vibration of your vocal chords. His inner thighs press against the outside of your own, reminding you of how exactly you ended up here.

Following the line of your jaw, his knuckles gently tilt your head down. He keeps his eyes locked on you, still giving you that dreaded doe eyed stare. Once his hand reaches your face, he tears his gaze from your eyes, following his fingers as he caresses the soft skin of your cheek.

Turning his hand, Spencer lets his slender fingers flatten against your jaw. His thumb runs along your bottom lip, tracing the warm skin and gently pressing into it. Watching as the color of your lips changes with the light pressure, he finally speaks.

“The reason your heart races, or you feel nervous when you’re in love… is because of the sudden release of hormones. Dopamine, Cortisol, and Norepinephrine spike, but the mood stabilizer, Serotonin, drops.” His thumb gently tugs on your bottom lip.

“Do I make you nervous, Dr. Reid?” You whisper, your lips gently pressing into the pad of his thumb. Reaching up your free hand, you gently slide it under the front of his cardigan. Pressing it into his chest you could feel his heart hammering behind his ribcage.

Spencer nods, his bottom lip fitting between his teeth as he looks up at you. His face is flushed, the heights of his cheekbones radiating heat from the blood pooling beneath his skin. Adjusting in his seat, he pulls his legs towards himself, fitting one of his knees between your legs to spread them apart.

You look at him in surprise, but he dips his gaze to watch what he was doing. He puts his knees together, placing them between your own. Spreading his legs, he hooks them around your calves, forcing you forward. Yelping, you try your hardest not to collapse into him. You manage to get one of your knees onto the mattress before he fully knocks you over. Ignoring the way his gaze lingers on your flushed face, you settle into his lap, knees on either side of his hips.

Spencer could feel the strap of your thigh holster pressing into his leg. He unclasps his hand from yours, sliding it up your knee. He finds the buckles on the two straps digging into the flesh of your thigh. Maintaining eye contact while he unclasps them, you lift yourself off of him so he can take it off easier. He discards it onto the other side of the bed before letting his hand fall back to rest on your thigh. Spencer was constantly searching your face for approval, touching you slow and simple- He always made it a priority to make you comfortable. Mirroring his other hand, the one holding your face slides down the side of your torso to cup your thigh.The pressure of his touch increases, kneading your muscles through your jeans.

Your hands rest on his shoulders, gripping them lightly as he touches you. Growing restless, you reach down to unbutton his cardigan, sliding it off of his shoulders. He assists in taking it off, throwing it haphazardly across the room. His hands return to their places, but he tilts his head a little, his lips parting as his eyes slide across your face.

Rocking your hips forward pulls a soft moan from his lips, his fingers curling into your thighs. “I- I don’t… think we should do this…” He gasps, contradicting himself as his hands slide up to your hips, pulling you against him again.

“We don’t have to…” You gasp in response, the stimulation only slightly dulled by the thick material of your jeans.

“I want to- but, you’re injured.” He mumbles, leaning forward to press his lips against your collarbone.

You shake your head, sighing at the feeling of his warm lips, “You won’t hurt me.” Loosening his tie, you pull it over his head and toss it to the side.

“I could- not on purpose, but strenuous activity should be avoided during recovery.” Spencer argues, his voice weakened by the way your hips slide into his. His breath falls from his lips heavily, fanning your face as you lean in close.

Laughing, you turn your head to press a kiss to his temple, “It doesn’t feel like you want to stop.” You could feel him underneath you, already straining against his slacks. He swallows, his Adam’s apple sliding up and down. The hands on your hips tighten their grip, digging into your flesh. He keeps his eyes on you, leaning forward to press a small kiss to your sternum.

Spencer’s hands knew exactly what to do. Sliding over the apex of your hips, his thumbs pressing firmly into your soft skin. Traveling slowly up, the weight of his palms kneading your sides as the tips of his fingers find the band of your bra. The pressure of his touch lightens as he lifts his palms off of you. His fingers curl slightly, leaving just a few fingertips touching the lacy fabric.

Reading you like a book, his hands circle around to your back. Finding the clasp, he makes quick work of undoing your bra. He makes no move to fully remove the garment, just flattening his hands against your exposed back. His fingers press into your spine, running along the outsides of it.

You slide the bra off, throwing it over your shoulder to join your shirt and his cardigan on the floor. His eyes leave yours, trailing along your skin, uninterrupted by fabric. One hand stays on your back, the other sliding around your side. The pressure of his touch lightens as he reaches your front, very careful to not disturb your injured ribs.

His hand flattened on your torso scoops the underside of your breast, his thumb caressing the soft skin. Watching how your body molds to the shape of his hand, his lips part slightly, almost studying you.

Spencer presses a few more kisses to your sternum, slowly making his way up to your collarbone. Your hips continue to slide against his, pulling soft breathy moans from the both of you. His noises are muffled by your neck as he presses his lips to the center of your throat. It almost hurts how badly you want him, your desire clouding over any possible pain stemming from your ribs.

Moving as quickly and as gently as possible, Spencer twists his body. He slowly lowers your back to the mattress, settling between your legs as he hovers over you. He continued to grind against you, the feeling of him through four layers of clothing was enough to drive you up the wall.

It dawned on you then how easy this felt.

Just like everything with him, it all came to you like the most natural thing in the universe. The two of you had spent years memorizing everything about each other. You never thought it would translate so well into this situation. Then again, you never thought it was possible for you to end up in this position with him. Your hands find the buttons of his shirt, unfastening them quickly as his mouth finds your throat again. He takes his time exploring the warm skin of your neck, very gently nipping at your pulse. He takes in every noise he draws from you, filing them away in his mind with every roll of his hips.

Just as easily as the dusk slides into the quiet of night, you turn to putty in his hands.

Trying to focus on getting his shirt off, you’re distracted by the intense way he kisses your neck. You hadn’t really expected Spencer to be so… possessive with his mouth, but in hindsight it made sense to you.

He was possessive in other ways, always taking the seat next to you on the jet, calling dibs on partnering with you, not letting anyone else help you if he was nearby, getting pouty when your attention was drawn elsewhere. Listening to his heavy breathing as his warm, open mouthed, kisses press into your throat you’re suddenly aware of every way he’s laid his claim on you to the people around you.

To everyone else, you were his.

His hands hold your chest, squeezing and caressing the soft skin. Spencer’s teeth slowly drag along the side of your neck, biting you very gently, careful not to leave any marks where anyone would see. Your breathing comes out heavy and labored, your face scrunching slightly as you feel the strain of your ribs with each breath.

Spencer’s large palms slide down your torso after one last squeeze, finding the hem of your pants. He quickly gets your belt off, letting it clatter to the floor and unbuttoning your jeans. Pulling away from your neck. his eyes meet yours as he hooks his fingers over the hem of your underwear. He shimmies them down the length of your legs along with your pants, tossing them across the room carelessly. Pupils dilated wide, he drinks in the look of you like a starved man. His hand finds its way to your cheek, his eyebrows furrowing slightly at the pained look on your face. His thumb presses against the space between your brows, smoothing out the tension building there as your chest rises and falls heavily.

“Try to relax your breathing,” He whispers, pressing his lips to your cheek. His hand slips away from your face, the soft noise of his silver belt buckle unfastening filling your ears. Attentive kisses are pressed along the perimeter of your face, urging you to try and calm your racing heart.

The air around you is cold, a stark contrast to the ever growing heat pooling between your legs. His warm chest presses against yours, one hand curling around your knee, the other sliding along your bare inner thigh.

A soft moan falls from your lips, “You’re not exactly helping,” You whisper, feeling his lips press against your temple.

“It doesn’t feel like you want to stop,” He replies, throwing your words back at you as his fingers slide against your clit teasingly. You writhe underneath him, your hands sliding up to tangle in his hair. Trying your hardest not to move too much as his fingers slowly circle the bundle of nerves. If you move too much and aggravate your ribs, you might have to stop. His slender fingers slide along you, dipping into your entrance briefly before continuing to tease. You whine, lifting your hips to meet his hand as best as you can.

As much as Spencer wants to keep teasing, his need to please you overwhelms any other desire that may be festering. He pushes his middle finger into you, kissing the corner of your mouth as a guttural moan is pulled from your lips.

His thumb finds your clit, rubbing soothing circles into it as his finger fucks into you. His face remains pressed into yours, kissing along your cheekbone lovingly. Adding his ring finger, he pushes it into you slowly and allows you to adjust to the difference in size. His long, slender, fingers slide in and out of you, the ministrations deliberate and slow.

Despite the slow pace of his hand, the length and size of his fingers provides overwhelming stimulation. You had always loved how large his hands were, spending nights wondering and fantasizing about how they would feel touching you like this. But this was way better than any piss poor scenario you could dream up.

Your head falls back onto the pillow, mouth hanging open as deep, breathy moans fall from your lips. Hissing a bit, you try to calm your breathing.

“Don’t stop…” You sigh out, knowing he was noticing the way your breathing changes in kind to the pain spreading from your fractured bones. Spencer listens to your request, his fingers curling slightly. The sensation draws out a loud gasp as the tips of his fingers press into you. Your hands move down his neck, sliding along his back.

Your head swims with intense pleasure, not bothering to care about how badly your ribs hurt with every breath you take. Spencer’s name falls from your mouth like a mantra, eyes closing as you focus on not writhing underneath him. Hands pressing into his shoulder blades you pull him flush against you, feeling his hard length against your inner thigh as he pushes you closer to the edge with his fingers.

The way he presses into your inner thigh pulls a small noise from the back of his throat. He speeds up the way his fingers fuck into you, rutting against your thigh instinctually to keep the friction going. His thumb presses into your clit, the pressure firmer as he continues to circle around it. The feeling draws out a strained moan from your lips, your hips jerking involuntarily.

Spencer can feel you starting to fall apart underneath him, his lips pressing firmly into your neck. His soft gasps and moans muffled by your warm skin as he uses your thigh. Tightening around his fingers, your legs shake, and you mumble his name over and over. Biting down on your lip, his free hand slides just under your breast, holding your torso down when he feels your back begin to lift from the bed. Your orgasm crashes over you and the room spins, tremors vibrating through your spine.

You gasp, panting to try and catch your breath. His lips find your face again, smothering your cheeks and nose with affection as you come down from your high slowly. His desperate grinding against your thigh pulls you back to reality and you gently push on his shoulder to get his attention.

“Spencer… I need you…” You whine, your hands cupping his face. Taking his bottom lip between his teeth, he nods. There’s a soft twitch to his face when he pulls his hips away from your thigh, his eyes searching yours for final approval. You nod, adoring the amber color at the center of his irises.

Gripping himself in his hand, he takes a second to slide his tip through your folds, pulling a desperate moan from the both of you. The tenderness left from your last orgasm causes you to whine and throw your head back onto the pillow.

“Wait…” He gasps, looking up at you, “I- do you have a condom?”

You can’t help but laugh a little, shaking your head, “I’m on birth control, it’s fine… please.” Your fingers curl and play with the long hair at the nape of his neck.

He hesitates, seemingly working through the probabilities and statistics of not using one, but he nods. Spencer looks back down, lining himself up with you. One hand on your hip, the other wrapped around himself.

“Tell me to stop if you need to,” He says, voice shaking with his heavy breathing. You nod, eyes locked on his features. The shadows of his face as he hovers over you are dark, seeping into the dips and curves of his brow and cheek bones. He looked ethereal.

When his tip pushes into you slowly, you gasp. His mouth finds yours, kissing you needily as he works his way inside of you.

Spencer breathes heavily into your mouth as his fingers dig into the flesh of your outer thighs, “I… I love you.” He declares, his lips moving against yours with fervor.

Your fingers tangle into his hair, his kisses not allowing you to verbally reciprocate. You loved him. There was no doubt about that. But when he’s fully inside of you, filling you completely, there is nothing you can do to stop the way you ignite underneath him.

Moaning into his mouth, your legs shake from your earlier orgasm. He gives you time to slowly adjust, shivers running up and down his spine as your muscles flutter around him. Spencer slows down his kisses, resorting to soft presses as he waits for your signal.

After a moment you nod, whispering a soft “I love you” and kissing him in return. With your quiet permission, he pulls his hips back. Letting out a strained groan, his lips loosely against yours, he rolls his hips back into you.

The feeling of you wrapped around him completely, your hands in his hair, your mouth against his. There is nothing that can compare to this. Nothing.

Spencer rocks into you slowly, keeping your hips pressed against the mattress. The angle is perfect, and the least likely to aggravate your rib cage. He’s fully in tune with how you feel underneath him, his hands gently sliding over your hips in a soothing motion. Feeling no need to rush, he pulls back from your lips to watch the way he slides in and out of you.

“I… I would beg you to go faster if my ribs didn’t feel like they were on fire.” You hum, your hands brushing over the perimeters of his face. His face scrunches a little and he almost slows to a stop, but you shake your head, “Don’t- don’t stop, please, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” He whispers shakily, one of his hands sliding down to press circles into your overly sensitive clit.

A whine falls from your lips at the feeling, “Yes, yes… I’ve never felt so good…” Your muscles flutter around him, the added sensation pulling your thoughts from the deep ache ringing from your torso. His lips meet yours again, one of his palms cupping the back of your hand. Pressing your hand firmly into his cheek, his mouth moves against yours in slow, loving motions. The amount of tongue he used was a pleasant surprise, his kisses never seeming to still.

Keeping up his languid pace, Spencer memorizes the way you feel- which isn’t hard with his memory, but he files away every moan, every flutter of your core, every lingering kiss. It was all so perfect.

The remnants of your first orgasm buzzes in your core, your entire body felt like it was on fire. You could feel yourself reaching the edge, your kisses getting sloppier and his name falling from your lips in quick succession. His hips roll deep into you, making up for the slow pace with the thumb rubbing evenly over your clit.

His shoulders tense, the kiss between you breaking into just a sequence of heavy breaths against your lips. Hips twitching, the feeling of you around him almost unbearable as the pleasure causes his head to swim. All of the facts and knowledge constantly swimming through his mind fall silent, replaced with your soft whines and the feeling of your soft skin under his palms.

“Spencer… god, please- come for me…” You murmur against his lips, your hands moving into his hair and sliding down the back of his neck. Your nails lightly scrape along his sensitive skin, coaxing him over the edge. It’s all he can do to keep his slow pace, lifting his face away from yours to look down at you. Your eyes are slightly glassed over, looking up at him with a pleading gaze. The eye-contact is the final push he needed, his fingers circling around your clit quickly.

You gasp at the change in pace- the feeling of him inside of you, the length of him brushing against your sweet spot, his sweet gaze on your face all cause your muscles to contract as your second orgasm crashes over you. Spencer follows quickly behind you, groaning loudly as his hips stutter and he pushes himself into you as deep as he can. His release coats your insides, the added sensation pushing you even farther. Mouth falling open, his moans spike to a slightly higher pitch as he slowly rides out his own orgasm.

Heavy gasps fall from your lips as the two of you come down from your high. Spencer’s lips press against yours sloppily, his hands reaching up to hold your face firmly. He pulls out of you slowly, listening to the soft whine that falls from your lips.

Overly sensitive from the two back to back orgasms, your head swims. Spencer attempts to pull away from you more, but your hands loosely capture his wrists and pull him back. Lips meeting again in a lazy fashion, your mind is in a daze, “I love you…” is softly mumbled into his mouth, your hands holding his to your face.

“I love you too… How do your ribs feel?” He asks, kissing up the bridge of your nose.

You sigh into his affection, your thumbs rubbing the outside of his hands, “I feel great… it’s like a forgotten bruise.” Your lips pull into a sloppy grin.

“That’s because pain can be reduced by orgasms,” Is his response, pulling a soft laugh from you, “Potent analgesics, which are basically pain killers, are released in the endorphins during sex.”

“Maybe we should do this until my ribs are healed,” You hum, pressing a few soft kisses to his cheek.

Spencer laughs a little, shaking his head, “Let me get you cleaned up.”

He attempts to pull away again but you keep his hands held in your grip. You were still exhausted, your hold loose. Spencer could easily wriggle away, but he humors you with a few more kisses.

“Stay… I want you to stay.” You whine, tilting your head and kissing the corners of his mouth. “Please?”

Spencer nods, moving to settle next to you. Being mindful of your injury, he wraps an arm around your shoulders. Scooting closer and pressing his chest against your arm, he kisses your temple sweetly. The gravity of your connection holds your cores together in the wake of your collision.

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